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2004 Boxing Day Tsunami – Five Years On
A school in Banda Aceh is filled with hope - Story by Enda Balina

Five years ago, Elementary School SD20 in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, was destroyed by the Boxing Day tsunami. Today, the school has been rebuilt, thanks to World Vision’s generous supporters, and pupils say it is even more beautiful than before.

 

Five years ago, Elementary School SD20 in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, was destroyed by the December 26, 2004 tsunami, when up to eight metres of water flooded the school yard and dumped a huge fishing trawler in the playground. A subsequent gas explosion completely razed the school.

 

More than 400 of the 885 students lost their lives in the disaster. Ten teachers were also killed.

 

”It was a very difficult situation,” says principal Cut Halimah, 58. “The children and teachers were so traumatised. In those early days after the tragedy, we didn’t run our normal school activities; instead, we played a lot to help the children’s recovery, with support from parents.”

Today, Elementary School SD20 has been rebuilt, thanks to World Vision’s generous supporters, and pupils say it is even more beautiful than before. Currently, there are 450 pupils. The limited number of students ensures they receive quality tuition.

 

Dedek, 11, a sixth grader, loves the new look of his school. The classroom walls are brightly painted in orange – World Vision’s colours.

 

“My school has changed a lot; from a small building into a much bigger one,” says Dedek who loves to play football with his friends.

 

Sadly, Dedek lost his older brother and a younger sister in the tsunami. He was also separated from the rest of his family for four days during the disaster, which “was the most difficult thing for me”, he says.

 

Outstanding achievements

The World Vision partnership, including World Vision New Zealand, started its support of the rebuilding of the school in March 2005. Furniture, textbooks, stationery, uniforms, computers, and science laboratory and sports equipment were also donated.

 

World Vision provided training in child-focused teaching methodologies to the school’s teachers. This is part of an ongoing World Vision programme known as Creating Learning Communities for Children, which was developed by Unicef in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Education.

Elementary School SD20 is considered to be one of the best schools in Aceh, with adequate facilities and outstanding achievements by the students.

For Randa, 10, a sixth-grade student, the school library is her favourite place.

 

 “My teacher is very kind to me, I can borrow any book I want,” she says. “I love fairytales, especially the story about Snow White.”

Five years have passed since the tragedy in Aceh province on December 26, 2004.

 

With support from World Vision, Dedek, Randa and other students in Elementary School SD20 are on their way to realise their dreams. Randa wants to become a police officer and Dedek a pilot.