BIREUEN, ACEH —-— The cheerful voices of children heralded the start of the new school year in Teupin Mane Village, Juli Sub-district, Bireuen Regency. In a semi-permanent building standing tall in an area that witnessed a major event in Aceh in November 2025, a smile also lit up the face of Maryati, a Year 4 teacher at SD Negeri 14 Juli, on the third day of the School Environment Orientation Programme (MPLS) on Wednesday (15/07/2026).
The building is an Emergency School, a classroom under Dompet Dhuafa’s humanitarian recovery programme, built thanks to the noble commitment of our charitable partner, Bridgestone – a renowned rubber and tyre company from Japan. It is here that the torch of education, which had been extinguished by the flash floods, has now been reignited.
Speaking to the Dompet Dhuafa team, Mrs Maryati recalled the harrowing night when the flash floods struck late last year. The relentless heavy rain caused the river to burst its banks violently.
“After a week of non-stop heavy rain, one morning, the entire school grounds were submerged in water. Several school buildings were swept away by the current. Even my own house was carried away by the floodwaters,” Mrs Maryati recalled softly, remembering the heartbreak of having to evacuate to higher ground without a single place left to sleep.
The disaster destroyed everything. Textbooks, toilet facilities, and even the pupils’ school uniforms were all swept away without a trace. Road access and the Teupin Mane Bridge were cut off. The school was forced to suspend operations and close for safety reasons, resulting in school exams being cancelled and pupils’ marks having to be adjusted in light of the circumstances.
After months of suspension, school life resumed on 5 January 2026. At the start of this return, teaching and learning activities had to be carried out under makeshift emergency tents.
“Studying inside the tent was unbearably hot, and the children often found it difficult to concentrate. The surroundings were still littered with the aftermath of the floods and mud,” explained Mrs Mariyati.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Dompet Dhuafa, in partnership with Bridgestone, moved swiftly to set up an Emergency School. The arrival of these new classrooms answered the prayers of teachers and parents who had been at a loss as to where to find shelter for their children. Although SDN 14 Juli is currently still short of two classrooms and is due to be relocated to a safer site, this Emergency School has become ‘Rumoh Harapan Siap Sekolah’ – the best refuge for weaving back the dreams that had once been swept away.
There was a scene that was both fascinating and heart-warming at the start of this new school year. During the orientation programme, Mrs Mariyati welcomed the new Year 4 pupils. This was in stark contrast to schools in densely populated urban areas.
“This year, Year 4 at SDN 14 Juli has only six pupils. Previously, there were seven, but one pupil moved away as their family had to relocate whilst seeking refuge. In total, from Year 1 to Year 6, this school has 65 pupils,” said Mrs Mariyati.
However, the small numbers do nothing to dampen the spirit within the Emergency School. Under Mrs Mariyati’s warm guidance, the six pupils looked enthusiastic as they followed the MPLS session on Clean and Healthy Living Behaviours (PHBS)—a crucial subject to ensure they grow into a resilient generation, conscious of the environment and their health in a post-disaster area.
For these six pupils, the emergency school set up by Bridgestone and Dompet Dhuafa is their ‘castle’. It is here that they share laughter, read the remaining books, and momentarily forget the dark memories of the floods that once swept away their homes.
This Emergency School Aid programme is tangible proof that Bridgestone’s commitment, channelled through Dompet Dhuafa, is able to address the most fundamental aspect of post-disaster recovery: the children’s future in education.
For Mrs Mariyati, her dedication to continuing to teach despite the limitations is a testament to her unwavering sincerity. And for her six Year 4 pupils, every stroke of the pencil in their exercise books today is proof that hope will never be swept away by even the most devastating of floods.
“We are grateful that this assistance encourages us to remain enthusiastic about teaching and learning. Thank you, Bridgestone; thank you, Dompet Dhuafa. This Emergency School has been of great benefit to us,” said Mrs Mariyati. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika
Editor: Dedi Fadlil