LANGKAT, NORTH SUMATRA —–— Amidst the brown floodwaters that still inundate Dusun IX Paya Katib, stands a teenager with a determined gaze. Her name is Dinda Ardisa Putri. This 14-year-old seventh grader is one of many survivors of the flash floods that hit Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.
Wearing a long-sleeved shirt with white and gray stripes donated yesterday, Dinda clutches her new books tightly. For Dinda, these books symbolize hope that was once destroyed and washed away by the flood.
“I’m so happy to have stationery and books again. I got a bag, books, socks, pens, and pencils,” said Dinda.
Dinda’s memory of that night is still vivid. The sky seemed to pour down, with torrential rain accompanied by a power outage that plunged the village into darkness. In the eerie silence, the water rose very quickly.
Without having time to save their belongings, Dinda and her family decided to evacuate, heading for the home of relatives in a safer place. A journey that normally took only 30 minutes turned into a life-and-death struggle lasting three hours. They waded through floodwaters that reached the chest of an adult. Under the pouring rain and darkness, every step was a struggle.
“The water was high. We got out to save ourselves, walking slowly in the water for three hours. Only one piece of clothing that was stuck to my body was saved,” she recalled.
Read also: Head of Dompet Dhuafa Oversees Direct Distribution of Flood Aid in Langkat
For days after that, Dinda had to wash, dry, and wear her only set of clothes before donated clothes finally arrived. All of Dinda’s school supplies—uniforms, bags, and textbooks—were destroyed by the mud. However, her sorrow was somewhat alleviated on Sunday (12/14/2025).
Through the generosity of SMILES—a Japanese digital financial services company—which joined Dompet Dhuafa’s team in distributing aid at the Dusun IX Paya Katib evacuation center in Pekubuan Village, Tanjung Pura. A total of 145 hygiene kits and 140 school kits were distributed to the women and children survivors there, including Dinda.
“We hope that the survivors, especially the children, can remain enthusiastic even though they are in the evacuation camp,” said Rahman, Marketing Manager of SMILES.
That afternoon, the Dompet Dhuafa Volunteer (DDV) North Sumatra team also devoted their time and energy to spreading joy and providing psychological first aid (PFA) to children who were survivors in the Dusun IX Paya Katib refugee camp. Behind the warm steam from the Dompet Dhuafa Public Kitchen Post in Dusun X, which continued to provide food for the refugees, the arrival of school supplies encouraged children like Dinda that their future should not be washed away by the flood.
Now, even though the water still inundates the village and she still has to walk through water, Dinda can hold her books again. Her faint smile amid the floodwaters (as captured in her photo) seems to tell the world that even though the flash flood took her home and possessions, she will not let the disaster take away her dreams. Even though many school uniforms and shoes were swept away, and the school building was also damaged by the flood.
“Alhamdulillah, today hygiene packages and school kits have been distributed. Hopefully, what SMILES and Dompet Dhuafa have collaborated on and fought for will be able to lift the spirits of our brothers and sisters here who have been affected by the floods,” said Luthfah Mutiara, Digital Partnership Officer.
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa Presents Laundry Corner, Free Clothes Washing After Sumatra Floods
Dinda is one example of the resilience of the children of Sumatra. Surrounded by water, they remain steadfast, ready to return to school when the water recedes. Friends, you too can play a role in strengthening the humanitarian response for flood survivors in Sumatra. Your donations will help provide food, medicine, health services, and long-term recovery. Channel your best assistance through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/prayforsumatera. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika
Editor: Dedi Fadlil