Recover and Protect Indonesian Children

The flash flood that occurred in Lingkungan Perdamaian, Tangkahan Durian Village, Langkat Regency, caused various impacts on the community, including in the education sector. One of the education facilities affected was SD Negeri 058123 Alur Pakis (a public elementary school), which sustained damage as a result of the disaster. This damage meant that teaching and learning activities could not proceed as before, and the school building remains under reconstruction to this day.

During the reconstruction process, the children of SD Negeri 058123 Alur Pakis have been holding their lessons in an emergency tent. This situation requires the children to adapt to a learning environment that is different from before. Beyond the impact on educational facilities, the experience of facing a disaster and its aftermath can also affect children's sense of safety, comfort, and psychosocial wellbeing. Post-disaster recovery therefore also needs to take children's psychosocial condition into account.

Children are one of the groups most vulnerable in disaster situations and therefore require attention and support throughout the recovery process. Psychosocial support is needed to help children adapt to the changes that have occurred, to give them space to interact with others, and to create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere after experiencing a disaster. Such efforts are important so that children can continue their activities during the recovery process.

As a form of care for children affected by the disaster, and in conjunction with the commemoration of National Children's Day 2026, Yayasan Fajar Sejahtera Indonesia (YAFSI), with grant support from GlobalGiving, carried out a psychosocial activity themed CERIA (Cerita Hari Anak / "Children's Day Story") for the children of SD Negeri 058123 Alur Pakis. This activity is part of an effort to provide support and strengthening to children through enjoyable activities tailored to their needs. Through this activity, YAFSI aims to provide children with a positive space to interact, play, and express themselves, and to help them face and adapt to post-disaster conditions.

This psychosocial activity aims to:

1. Provide psychosocial support to the children of SD Negeri 058123 Alur Pakis affected by the flash flood.
2. Help children adapt to post-disaster conditions and the temporary learning environment while school reconstruction is underway.
3. Provide a safe and enjoyable space for children to interact, play, and express themselves in conjunction with the commemoration of Children's Day.

The CERIA psychosocial program at SDN Alur Pakis 058123 went smoothly and received positive feedback from both the children and the school administration. The series of activities took place in a cheerful and interactive atmosphere, supported by 10 facilitators and teachers who guided 110 children throughout the program. Based on the implementation of these activities, the following results were obtained:

1. Increased child engagement in group activities

The children actively took part in the full series of activities, from morning exercise and ice-breaking games to coloring activities and the closing session. The children were observed following the facilitators' instructions and taking part in the various activities held together. The involvement of teachers in accompanying and guiding the children helped the activities run smoothly and made it easier for the children to follow each part of the program.

2. Positive interaction built among children, teachers, and facilitators

The activity created a space for children to interact more closely with their peers, teachers, and facilitators in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Teachers also took part in accompanying the children throughout the activity, creating a sense of togetherness that encouraged children to communicate more actively and take part in group activities. The teachers' support also reflected the school's involvement in the psychosocial activity provided to the children.

3. Children had space to channel their creativity and express themselves

Through the coloring activity, children were given the freedom to choose colors and complete their drawings according to their own creativity. Facilitators and teachers accompanied the children throughout the process and provided support whenever a child needed help. Some children were also given the opportunity to voluntarily share the stories behind their artwork, making the activity not only a creative exercise but also a space for children to express themselves.

4. A positive atmosphere was created during the post-disaster recovery process

The CERIA activity offered an experience different from the children's current daily routine of learning in an emergency tent. Through exercise, games, creative activities, and a sharing session, the children had the opportunity to relax, play, and enjoy time together. The presence of teachers accompanying them also helped create a familiar and comfortable atmosphere for the children throughout the activity. This supported the creation of a positive space for children as part of the post-disaster psychosocial recovery process.

5. The children's artwork became a form of appreciation and keepsake

The coloring artwork made by the children was given to them to take home as a form of appreciation for their participation in the activity. This artwork can serve as a keepsake from the National Children's Day commemoration activity held together with YAFSI, while also giving the children a chance to show their creativity to their parents and family members at home. Teachers also supported the process by helping children complete their artwork, so that every child was able to finish and take home their own piece of work.

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