The Safest Temporary School for Children in Cianjur

As many as 1,353 students who survived the Cianjur earthquake can resume teaching and learning activities in six temporary schools. These schools resemble saung, which is closely related to Sundanese culture. Utilizing local materials, namely bamboo as the primary material, also contributes to the economic recovery of the Cianjur Regency community. In addition, bamboo is also a building material that is more resistant to earthquakes. This temporary school is an example of a safe building for children and the community to use. 

Ahmad (53), a member of the School Committee at one of the elementary schools whose building was affected by the earthquake, was worried about continuing teaching and learning activities after the earthquake. He could not imagine how the children would have to study in a dark and stuffy tent. The tent also can only accommodate some students because part of the area is used to store school goods that can still be saved.

The condition of an elementary school in Cianjur Regency after an earthquake struck in November 2022.

"The construction of the temporary school in our village also provides opportunities for people to participate and get paid accordingly. We are starting with bamboo and booth artisans, youth organizations, impromptu laborers, as well as me being trained to be an impromptu laborer. The results were very happy for all of us. The building we built together has made it possible for the children of this elementary school to return to school in a safe place that is not overheated, like in a tent," said Ahmad. 

According to Yusuf Suherman, Principal of one of the affected elementary schools, this temporary school is also a unique and creative place. "This school was built without builders from outside the village but invited the villagers to get involved," he said. In addition, the children also participated in decorating the school walls with colorful pictures. The school atmosphere became festive and cheerful. 

The whole school is the result of a good partnership with the community and support from Sun Life through Wahana Visi Indonesia. In addition to the temporary school buildings, there are also HWWS facilities and temporary toilets that students and teachers can use. The students' and teachers' hygiene and health are also essential concerns of this quick school construction.

Hasan uses the HWWS facility next to the temporary school building.

"We are delighted with this bamboo school. Besides the school, a handwashing station is on the left and right side doors. We are pleased that in addition to a better and cooler place to study, we can worship together here. In addition to school building assistance, we also received training provided by WVI. We learned to recognize disaster risks and map our school's location so that we know where to go if a disaster comes while we are studying. This activity was a new lesson for us. " We are learning to recognize our school environment well," said Hasan (11), a 5th-grade student who uses the temporary school as his study place. 

Temporary schools are a beneficial, safe, and supportive way for children to return to school as soon as possible after a disaster. It is also a form of psychosocial support for children who are survivors. WVI will continue responding to the Cianjur earthquake until the end of April 2023. The focus of the disaster response will be on community economic recovery through the Cash and Voucher Program (CVP). In addition, to ensure the sustainability of activities carried out during the disaster response period, WVI also conducted a handover and discussed follow-up plans with relevant agencies in Cianjur Regency.

Writer : Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)

Contributors : WVI Emergency Response Team in Cianjur