Acehnese children slowly recover from traumatic experiences<\/p>\n
Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
Trauma suffered by tsunami survivors has slowly slipped from
\nmemory of most children, but orphans keep their traumatic
\nexperience longer.<\/p>\n
"I'm not traumatized. Only sometimes my memory returns," said
\n15-year-old Meutia.<\/p>\n
"If I feel afraid, I will pray to Allah," said Farida, also
\n15.<\/p>\n
"I still have my fear, especially because I have lost my
\nparents," said Irwan, 16.<\/p>\n
"Sometimes my fear comes, especially when there is an
\nearthquake," said nine-year old Bayu.<\/p>\n
Those were the comments made by several Acehnese children when
\nasked whether they were still traumatized about the earthquake
\nand the subsequent killer tsunami that hit their province.<\/p>\n
Some felt afraid while others said their fear only returned
\nwhen they thought about the major natural disaster.<\/p>\n
Most children often do not show that their memory of the
\ntsunami disaster remains fresh in their minds. Adults will
\nmistakenly believe that their memory of the disaster, that
\nclaimed so many lives, has slipped into oblivion. Every day,
\nthese children play as normal children do, either at schools or
\nat refugee camps. Rarely do they look gloomy or sad.<\/p>\n
The tsunami hit Aceh almost seven months ago but these
\nchildren can still recount what happened when the disaster
\nstruck. Of course, their stories now are not as detailed as
\nbefore.<\/p>\n
However, children who lost their parents in this natural
\ncalamity usually keep their traumatic experiences longer than
\nother kids. They find it hard to forget a disaster that has
\nclaimed the lives of their beloved parents.<\/p>\n
Take Wulan, an 11-year-old girl, as an example. Wounded, she
\nwas saved from the claws of death when the tsunami struck her
\nhouse. However, even today she is still mentally shocked as she
\nwitnessed how her parents disappeared, dragged into the sea by
\nthe killer tidal wave.<\/p>\n
Often, when an after-quake occurred, she would became
\nhysterical and frightened. Recently, her condition has slowly
\nreturned to normal. She is gripped by fear only when night comes.<\/p>\n
"I feel terrified, especially when I'm alone," she told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, at least 30 percent of the estimated 100,000 to
\n300,000 Acehnese children who were orphaned or separated from
\ntheir parents or other family members in Aceh, are suffering from
\nsevere trauma. Most of the Aceh children, traumatized by the
\ncatastrophe, lost both parents as well as other family members
\nand are aged between four and 10, according to the National
\nCommission on Child Protection.<\/p>\n
In Gue Gajah TVRI refugee camp in Aceh Besar, you can find 95
\norphans. They stay there with their close relatives or their
\nformer neighbors.<\/p>\n
Shortly after the tsunami struck the region, many non-
\ngovernmental organizations (NGOs) set up children centers in
\nAceh. Today, only a few are still operational. The NGO "Plan" is
\none NGO whose children's centers are still active.<\/p>\n
This NGO accommodates some 2,000 child tsunami victims. The
\norganization set up a center for playing and learning in the area
\nof Benteng Indrapatra, Krueng Raya, Aceh Besar.<\/p>\n
"We are sure that the effects of their traumatic experiences
\nhas reduced," said Paulan of Plan. She said that she now rarely
\nsaw children daydreaming, frightened or keeping themselves in
\nseclusion.<\/p>\n
These children have changed a lot for the better, she added.<\/p>\n
"Earlier, the kids would all draw the pictures of the tsunami
\nwhen they took part in a drawing contest. They would draw
\ncapsized vessels, destroyed houses and the like. Now, many of
\nthem will draw flowers or scenery," said Paulan.<\/p>\n
She was sure that these children would be liberated from their
\ntrauma and fear if they were often asked to play and have fun.<\/p>\n
"If they are left alone, of course their trauma and fear will
\nremain with them," she added.<\/p>\n
While Plan concentrates its efforts to reduce the trauma and
\nsorrow of these unfortunate children by encouraging them to learn
\nand play, the Titi Budaya Foundation, in cooperation with UNESCO,
\nis employing a cultural approach for the same purpose.<\/p>\n
Last May, in the first stage of their efforts to help these
\nAcehnese kids, they taught children to dance folk dances and sing
\ntraditional songs.<\/p>\n
Toni Rudiansyah of the Titi Budaya foundation said that it
\nwould be easier to heal these children from their trauma with a
\ncultural therapy than with a verbal approach.<\/p>\n
"If they sing and dance, they find it easier to forget their
\ntrauma," he added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/acehnese-children-slowly-recover-from-traumatic-experiences-1447893297",
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