Samudra University lecturers provide reading corner for disaster survivors' children
Recovery following flooding extends beyond physical reconstruction; it equally involves restoring children’s daily routines, including their learning activities.
BANDA ACEH — Lecturers from the Physics Education Programme at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Samudra University (Unsam) in Langsa, Aceh Province, have introduced a portable reading corner and educational kits for children who have survived disasters in Aceh Tamiang Regency.
Mentari Darma Putri, Head of the Disaster Response Community Service Team (PKM) of the Physics Education Programme at Unsam, stated during a visit to Aceh Tamiang on Saturday that the reading corner and educational materials represent an effort to restore children’s learning activities following the disaster.
“We are providing a portable reading corner and educational kits to disaster-affected children. Our aim is to revive their motivation to learn,” said Mentari Darma Putri.
She noted that the portable reading corner and educational kits targeted 35 disaster-affected children at kindergarten, primary, and secondary school levels in Seuneubok Baro Village, Manyak Payed District, Aceh Tamiang Regency.
“During this activity, children engaged with educational games and received educational kits. These educational games serve to restore children’s learning motivation. The activity took place over two hours on Thursday (26 February) and Friday (27 February),” she said.
The educational kits distributed contained school supplies and varied reading materials suitable for different age groups. The books included activity books, storybooks, tales of prophets, fables, space and science series, disaster response survival packages, colouring books, and other reading materials.
“We hope the children maintain their enthusiasm for learning, do not lose their curiosity, and become increasingly motivated to read. With the support of the portable reading corner and these educational kits, they have the resources to return to active learning following the flood disaster,” she said.
Mentari Darma Putri explained that the educational activity was funded by a grant from Samudra University’s Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) in Langsa. The activity also involved university students.
According to her, recovery following flooding concerns not only physical reconstruction but also restoring children’s daily routines, including their learning activities. For this reason, the team adopted an enjoyable approach so that children would not feel overwhelmed.
“Through this activity, we reaffirm our commitment to serving disaster-affected communities, particularly in supporting children’s educational recovery, so that they maintain a safe, enjoyable, and meaningful learning space,” said Mentari Darma Putri.
Acting Village Chief T Irzandi Mahriza of Seuneubok Baro appreciated the activity and hoped that similar programmes could continue, so that disaster-affected children would remain motivated to learn.
“Support for children’s education following disasters is crucial to ensure that their development and learning processes are not disrupted. This activity is expected to serve as an initial catalyst to encourage children to restore their learning routines and increase their interest in reading, even whilst recovering from the disaster,” said T Irzandi Mahriza.