Children of Sudimoro practicing batik techniques

SANA SUNU was a children’s activity center facilitated by Babaran Segaragunung Culture House and Cakrawala Learning Laboratory in the aftermath of an earthquake in Jogjakarta on May 27, 2006. The center was located in Sudimoro village, Imogiri Barat Street, km.11.

Post Earthquake Children’s Activity Center

As a result of the earthquake, children experienced post-traumatic stress on two levels – on a personal level, but also they are affected by the trauma experienced by their parents/caretakers who are also preoccupied by restoring their homes and livelihoods.  The children need attention and coping strategies to help them deal with their unexpected situation.

Babaran Segaragunung Culture House and Cakrawala Learning Laboratory fostered SANA SUNU Children’s Activity Center in cooperation with the local community. The community determined the space to be used and the hours of activities for the children of the village (ages 3-12). We, CLL and BSG, provided the facilitators and materials for the activities, monitored and evaluated the program weekly, and trained local facilitators for the duration of three months.  At the end of the three months, two local facilitators assumed control of the maintenance of the center. All materials were left with the center.

The initial activities offered to the children addressed basic needs, such as restoring tactile senses (play with sand, water, clay, wax).  The second phase of activities included painting, drawing, writing, art projects, puppets, music, games, and storytelling.  During the third stage, the activities were expanded to making dolls, construction, drama, and interactive performances.

The intent of this activity was to engage the children in positive creative activities, and to address any post-traumatic stress shown by the children by encouraging release of fears through open expression, encouraging independence (and discouraging dependence on facilitators), motivating children to be creative in seeking solutions to problems and to cooperate in the process, and finally, to empower the local community to rebuild their lives with pride.