ACEH —-— “When can we go back to school, Ma’am?” This is a question that is very difficult for Nora Rusaifa, a teacher at the Tazkiyatun Nufus Early Childhood Education Center in Gampong Kubu, Peusangan Siblah Krueng, Bireuen Regency, Aceh, to answer.
Shouldn’t that question simply be answered with a date? Unfortunately, the mud that remains makes it difficult to answer. The mud still covers the floor of Tazkiyatun Nufus Early Childhood Education Center. The walls are also still covered in mud left over from the floods and landslides that occurred two months ago.
Three buildings stand in a row there: a classroom, a playroom, and a Village Maternity Post (Polindes). All three are filled with mud. In the playroom—a space that should be filled with piles of balls like a ball pit—the balls are instead trapped by mud that has nearly dried up.
Since floods and landslides struck Gampong Kubu, classes at the Tazkiyatun Nufus Early Childhood Education Center and the Polindes health clinic have been suspended; they do not know exactly when activities can resume there.
“School activities have stopped because of this. If the mud here had only reached that point (the wall) yesterday, maybe it would have stopped there,” said Nora.
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Nora managed to save some items, but books and other supplies had to be left behind as the water began to rise and the situation grew increasingly dire.
“Luckily I had the key, so I just went straight in here. We put the wireless router on top of something—we managed to save the cabinet. As for things like the fan and the books, we didn’t have time to evacuate them because we were afraid the water would rise too quickly,” Nora continued.
Like a breath of fresh air, Allah promises in the Qur’an that every difficulty is always accompanied by ease. That promise feels real when Allah’s help arrives just in time, often through unexpected acts of kindness.
Alhamdulillah, this help came through a collaboration between Dompet Dhuafa and its partners in kindness, including Baitul Mal Masjid Izzatul Islam, Taman Serua RW 08, DKM Masjid Al Hidayah, Yayasan Nur Ilaahi Taman Serua, and Masjid An Nur. This synergy brought a sense of relief to the survivors amidst the difficult situation they faced.
Dompet Dhuafa, together with its mosque partners, collaborated to distribute clean water and clean public facilities, such as community health centers, early childhood education centers, and children’s play areas. Thanks to the support of our partners, the mud that had caked onto the walls gradually washed away with the flowing water, revealing the walls’ original colors, which had previously been covered in brown mud.
Not only were volunteers involved in cleaning these rooms, but Nora and the children also worked side by side, once again realizing their dream of being able to go back to school.
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“I help by cleaning the classroom, and now I’m cleaning the playroom. There are balls and a slide in there. Well, it’s actually for charitable deeds too—especially since there are already people (volunteers) willing to clean; how could we not want to help? How could we just stand by and watch?” Nora continued.
Questions that were initially difficult to answer are now beginning to find their answers. “I sometimes feel sad, sis, when the children ask when they can go to school, and I can’t answer them,” she said with a trembling voice and teary eyes, her gaze lowered.
“God willing, the plan is for them to return to school after Eid. I’ve really missed teaching and playing with the children. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the donors; may this assistance serve as a charitable deed that will benefit them in the afterlife,” said Nora, relieved.
Nora and the children have longed for their learning activities for a long time; now, alhamdulillah, with the help of Dompet Dhuafa and Mitra Masjid, they can go back to school.
Dicky, a Dompet Dhuafa volunteer, described the conditions in Gampong Kubu immediately after the disaster struck. The area was temporarily cut off due to the collapse of the main bridge, blocking access from both Pasaman and South Pasaman, making it impossible to reach the location. The local government then worked to reopen the village’s main route, while the volunteer team, along with relevant parties, crossed to the location using rubber boats and set up a pulley system to facilitate the distribution of supplies to the affected area.
“We’ve conducted several wash operations; the main areas we cleaned were the Polindes, the Tazkiyatun Nufus Early Childhood Education Center, and the playground. The mud inside the rooms was as deep as an adult’s knees, and since it had hardened, our colleagues had to exert extraordinary effort to clean it up. “Alhamdulillah, thanks to the solid cooperation, the cleaning at several locations is now complete, and these spaces can be used by the public,” said Dicky.
Dompet Dhuafa appreciates all partners who have collaborated for Sumatra’s recovery. The support, compassion, and cooperation not only help restore physical conditions post-disaster but also bring relief and hope to the affected communities. May every effort and act of kindness become a continuous act of charity and strengthen our resolve to continue helping one another amidst various trials. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Anndini Dwi Putri
Editor: Ronna