Put Your Flip-Flops on the Line

Residents in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, have opened up a streetside stall to distribute snacks for iftar – the meal that breaks the Ramadan fast at sunset. 

Since the beginning of Ramadan late last month they've distributed up to 600 free snacks or meals, called takjil, to poor families around the area. 

"We start gathering on the sidewalk from the afternoon, even though the food is not brought out until 5 p.m. We mark our spot on the queue with flip-flops," 35-year-old Linda, a Cempaka Putih local, said.  

Linda sometimes asked his eldest son to put his flip-flops on the queue for the takjil at midday. "I don't want to miss out," she said. 

"The food is donated, so each of us can only take one takjil package. You get a choice of a rice box or a bag of snacks," Linda said.

The stall implements strict physical distancing rules to prevent coronavirus transmission. Everyone, including children, is required to wear a mask and stay at least one meter away from each other.