At that time there were two choices for us who were not victims, first, to calm down and let the feeling go and disappear completely and second, to get up and do something. Our group chose the latest, to get up and do something.

The big screen covered enough the pain of each faces. What we saw was neglected and hopeless children scattered all over the area. What we thought was how they're back to their normal life? What could be done? 101 action plans flied over our mind. Our ideas varied from planning and design the region to sending stoves and kitchen utensils. The suffering children pictures shouted hard enough for help. We knew we should focus on the children. The children in disaster area lost everything, but we believed not their hope. We kept thinking how they're going to face the situation and start a new life. The children should be kept busy learning and playing, the activities they lack at that time. The children should also know that there was someone far away from them, thinking about them and praying for them.

Then, the idea of sending back to school kits came out. Along with the backpack, some books, pencils, erasers and colored pencils were included, and the most important thing was a piece of paper with "messages of hope" from the donators. With the children only hope, we expected to build their confidence to speed up their own recovery. We believe that confidence is only a starter but the purpose is saving one's soul in facing the future. With back to school kits we send, we expected to help them start the learning process in school to discover their own potentials.

Special thanks should be addressed to the Indonesian communities of Singapore International School led by Ms. Ria Sitohang and friends for their trusts and supports to the activities. The other supportive group was HIMPSI (Indonesian Psychology Association), our partner who distribute the back to school kits to the children of Aceh. We also thank ars86ers and Parahyangan University alumni for supporting us. It is because of you all that the children in disaster area may have a slight of hope once in their lifetime.

Unfortunately, the sad events happen again and again in Indonesia. The Aceh tsunami follows by Nias earthquake, Sumatra earthquake, Jogja earthquake... We keep on sending back to school kits for the children of disaster victims as long as we can do it. What we are trying to say is to let them know that WE CARE. [mw]