Play to Heal: Soothe the Trauma of Children at Bandung Earthquake Centre

Bandung (25 September 2024) - It has been a week since child survivors of the earthquake in Bandung Regency made shelter their temporary home. The earthquake has wrecked their houses, coercing them to seek protection under a shield of fabric. Outside their tents, grey skies hung low, and the frigid breeze carried surrender.

Nevertheless, when stepped into the tent of the Psychosocial Support Service of Ministry of Social Affairs in Cibereum Village, Kertasari, the world felt different. Its ceiling was filled with a colorful solar system, and planets and stars were above heads. Astronauts floated as if dancing in the cosmos.

Its walls were adorned with picture-telling folklore. There was Si Toba, casting his line into the water, while Suro, green as the earth, chased the blue of Boyo through the currents.

Light colors unique to children decorate every inch of ceilings and walls. As if it moved the children from the shelter to a fairy tale world full of magic.

Among the imaginative world, smiles and laughter are engraved. Together with the Psychosocial Support Services Team from MoSA, they believed this disaster would end soon. Especially that afternoon, Wednesday (25/9/2024), they were visited by a special guest. Gus Ipul, the Minister of Social Affairs. With a warm smile, a Minister, whose full name is Saifullah Yusuf, greeted and brought an important message.

Minister Gus Ipul highlighted the importance of knowledge of various threats of natural disasters. “There is flood, volcano, landslide, and also prone to earthquake,” he explained occasionally pausing to allow the children to digest the information.

In a warm yet attentive atmosphere, Gus Ipul encouraged the children to understand disasters so they could perform rescues.

The mood instantly became more cheerful when Minister Gus Ipul commented on the song the children had just sung. “One of the ways, as mentioned in the song. This song is great, applause'” he exclaimed with a wide smile. Loud applause echoed from the tent, adding warmth amidst the cold weather.

The children sang “Manuk Dadali”, with the lyrics modified to follow disaster mitigation steps. Uniquely, the lyrics remained in Sundanese to make them easier for the children to memorize. It was one of the members of the Ministry of Social Affairs' LDP Team, Igun Gunawan (50), who changed the lyrics of the song.

“Lamun aya gempa dijaga mastakana,” which means 'If there is an earthquake, protect your head,' followed by 'Lamun aya gempa nyumput ka kolong meja,' or 'If there is an earthquake, hide under the table

The song continues with important guidelines such as “Lamun aya gempa jauhan anu bahaya”, which means “Stay away from dangerous objects”, and “Lamun aya gempa lumpat kanu laluasa”, or “'If there is an earthquake, run to an open space”.

To prevent panic, the children are also taught through the lyrics “Lamun pasesedeuk, tong suntrung-suntrungan”, which means “If it's crowded, don't push each other”, and “Ulah parebut, lumpat kanu aman”, or “Don't scramble, run to a safe place”.

Although he successfully made the children understand disaster mitigation through the song, Igun said he had not yet asked for permission from the family of Abah Sambas, the composer of “Manuk Dadali”. However, he is confident that the family will not mind because the song is used for a good cause and is not commercialized.

Through the song, Igun hopes the children can perform self-rescue. Since the 4.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred on September 18, more than 30 aftershocks have still occurred.

“When another earthquake happens, they can perform better rescues. Because previously, they were scrambling, stepping on each other, and pushing,” he explained. The main earthquake occurred at 09:41 a.m. local time, when the children were at school.

Igun continued, that the psychosocial support services at the evacuation post help reduce the children's trauma. “Psychosocial support restores children to their social functioning, which is learning and playing,” he explained.

MoSA’s LDP Team encouraged the children to express their fears joyfully. On one side of the tent wall, there were writings from dozens of children about their feelings. It was undeniable that most admitted to experiencing psychological pressure.

Therefore, the LDP Team was present to help the children reduce trauma. Many activities were carried out, from singing, playing, exercising, drawing, coloring, playing chess, to flying fox. The LDP tent was almost never empty, always full of children.

One of the children who always visited the LDP tent was Fadillah (11). This fifth-grade student from SD Lebaksari was forced to evacuate because his house was damaged by the earthquake. Not only his house but his school was also damaged. Fadil and other children were forced to study in an emergency tent also prepared by the MoSA.

In the LDP tent, Fadil participated in various activities. “There are many activities with Kak Igun, like coloring and singing,” he said, adding that he was happy because there were many friends in the tent.

Since being present for the children in the evacuation, the LDP Team has gradually turned the children's trauma and sadness into smiles and hope.

Thanks to the LDP Team. A week has passed, and the memory of the earthquake no longer disturbs me.