The Road to Recovery

On December 26th 2004, a massive earthquake shook the coast of Indonesia. The worst quake in over 40 years, it triggered a gigantic tsunami which swept across the country leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The island of Sumatra was one of the worst hit. Thousands of people were killed and many cities, towns and villages completely destroyed.

For the people of Aceh province, who had spent years caught in the midst of violent fighting between the Indonesian Government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the tsunami was a bitter double blow. Those that survived the colossal tidal wave lost their homes, families and livelihoods and many are still haunted by the horrors they witnessed. Four years on, SCIAF is helping communities to pick up the pieces and rebuild their shattered lives.

SCIAF’s Asia Project Officer, Percy Patrick visited the village of Lamklat to meet a group of children and young people and hear their remarkable story of recovery.

Children were amongst those worst affected by the disaster. Many have been left suffering from nightmares and post traumatic stress. SCIAF is working with partners in Aceh to help young people - like 11-year-old Rizal Fahmir - overcome the trauma and start afresh.

Rizal was just three years old when his father was killed in the crossfire between the Indonesian army and GAM fighters. His mother remarried and moved away with her husband and new baby daughter. Rizal stayed with his grandmother but shortly after the tsunami struck, she died, leaving him devastated.

In the aftermath of the disaster, Rizal saw many bodies and heard terrible stories about suffering and death. He refused to move in with his mother as her home is near the sea and he is terrified that another giant wave will come. Instead he stays with relatives in his grandmother’s village.

Left alone at such a young age, and plagued by terrifying nightmares, Rizal withdrew from day-to-day life. He was a frightened, shy little boy, who did not play with the other children and was wary of outsiders. Then he met a dance teacher called Wani and his life began to change.

Wani works with SCIAF’s partner the Traditional Arts Lecture Organisation (TALO). The group, made up of art and dance teachers, formed after the tsunami to help children heal their mental scars through the use of traditional Acehenese music and dance. TALO work in the Acehenese capital, Banda Aceh, supporting survivors of the disaster and children affected by the years of conflict. They meet for dance and music lessons three times a week and hold social events, games and story-telling sessions with the children. Through music and dance, the young people are able to express themselves and can forget about the horrors they have lived through.

Three times a year TALO put on shows so that the children have an opportunity to showcase their new skills in front of an audience. The young people are very proud of their public performances. Singing and dancing in front of a crowd gives them a sense of achievement and helps to boost their confidence and self esteem.

When Rizal first joined, he was not ready to take part in the programme. He used to run away but Wani was very patient with him. She listened to him, played with him, chatted with him and encouraged him to talk about his feelings. Gradually his confidence grew. He began to join in with the dances and before long became an active member of the group.

Wani said:

“Now he has stopped crying. His shyness has gone, he has started playing with the other children and has made new friends. He is braver than before.”

Rizal is one of over 700 children who have been given a fresh start thanks to TALO. The dance classes bring young people from different areas together. They meet new friends and are encouraged to work together as a team.

One of the children said:

“When we feel sad, we go to the dance program. We meet our friends and teachers, dance, play and laugh together, and suddenly our burdens have gone. We go home with a nice feeling”.

Parents also benefit from the programme. One mother said:

“I enjoy coming to watch my child dance. It gives me a chance to meet with other parents and have a chat. It’s also good for relieving tension. If I didn’t go along to the practices I would just sit in my house and would be more likely to get angry with my children.”

Rizal has made great progress but for him, and many other children who have witnessed the horrors of war and natural disaster, the road to recovery will be long. Thanks to SCIAF and TALO, it is a road he no longer has to travel alone.