Imagine this: you’re in a small village surrounded by forests and mountains in Indonesia, far from any big city. There’s no nearby hospital, and if you get hurt or sick, you might need to travel for hours, sometimes even a whole day, to get to a doctor. For many people, this isn’t just a thought; it’s real life. That’s where Dr. Lie Dharmawan comes in, a doctor who decided to make a huge difference by creating something amazing—a floating hospital!
Meet Dr. Lie: The Doctor Who Doesn’t Give Up
Dr. Lie Dharmawan grew up with a strong and determined mother who inspired him to become a doctor. When Dr. Lie was young, his father passed away, and his mother worked super hard to raise him and his six siblings on her own. From a young age, he dreamed of being a doctor to help people in need and to make his mother proud. But this dream wasn’t going to be easy. People often said he would never afford the costs of medical school, especially to study abroad.
But Dr. Lie was incredibly determined. Every day, he prayed and believed he would someday study in Germany, the place he dreamed of. Eventually, his dream came true! He was accepted into a medical school in Germany. It wasn’t just luck; he worked super hard to get there!
A Floating Hospital That Helps Everyone
After finishing his studies, Dr. Lie returned to Indonesia. He didn’t want to be just any doctor—he wanted to help people who couldn’t afford medical bills. So, he took his big idea to the next level: he created a floating hospital! Under his foundation, DoctorSHARE, Dr. Lie converted an old ship into a fully equipped hospital with medical equipment and volunteers. This ship, packed with doctors and nurses, travels from one small island to another, offering free medical care to anyone who needs it.
A Lifesaving Journey for a Little Patient
One time, Dr. Lie met a young child who had a serious tumor that needed surgery. The child’s parents traveled 11 hours just to reach the floating hospital. Can you imagine traveling that far, hoping for a miracle? Other doctors had said that surgery probably wouldn’t help, but Dr. Lie wasn’t ready to give up.
Dr. Lie and his team performed the surgery, and it was a success! When the parents found out, they were so grateful that they cried tears of joy. Dr. Lie said it felt incredible to see their happiness and to know he’d given this little patient a chance at a healthier life.
Sailing to Save Lives, One Island at a Time
Dr. Lie’s floating hospital has about 30 people on board, including six ship crew members and around 15-20 medical volunteers. The team is always ready to help people who need care the most, even in the farthest corners of Indonesia. Dr. Lie’s mom had always told him to be kind to those in need, reminding him that “if you become a doctor, don’t take advantage of the poor.” Her words stayed with him all his life, and now, he’s on a mission to make sure people get the care they need, whether they can pay or not.
What We Can Learn From Dr. Lie
Dr. Lie’s story shows that you can do amazing things with determination, hard work, and kindness. He didn’t let challenges stop him, even when others doubted him. And he’s not just helping people—he’s inspiring everyone who hears his story to believe in themselves and to help others.
So, remember, sometimes the biggest dreams can come from the smallest places. And maybe, just maybe, you can make a difference too!
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