Aceh orphanage in bad shape
The Malaysian Red Crescent is shocked at the derelict state of the orphanage it built in Pidie here after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami.
Its national executive board member James Kon said he did not expect to see the orphanage in such a poor condition having raised funds to build the 2ha orphanage some 12 years ago.
Walking around the premises, pieces of ceiling and roof could be seen in a state of collapse with paint peeling off the walls and rubbish littered the premises.
Various outdoor facilities and furniture were damaged.
“The building requires some maintenance.
“There are leaks and some ceiling repairs have to be done.
“But I think more importantly, it is the children’s living condition – their beds, mattresses they sleep on are 12 years old and require replacing,” Kon said.
He said the damage caused by the earthquake would be assessed including the orphanage, and “we will most likely be calling on the Malaysian public to raise funds very soon.”
The Star Online was accompanying the MRC to assess the damage caused by the Dec 7 earthquake at Pidie Jaya and to check on the orphanage.
The orphanage’s caretaker Tunku Rusne said the district’s annual floods were responsible for some of the building’s wear and tear.
“The floods happen every year and it can reach waist level, around three feet (0.91m) deep,” he said.
Rusne, who is also the orphanage’s religious teacher and cleaner, said the floods would usually submerge the bottom bunks of the dormitory.
“The children sometimes have to climb to the top bunk to escape the water and wait until the floods recede,” he said.
Rusne said despite the sprawling grounds, the orphanage houses 25 children at present.
“Back when we had funding, we could house 200 children. But now, we lack the funding. What can we do?
“We shelter, teach and feed them three times a day. We don’t have the money to take on more kids. I hope we will get more help.”
When asked if the children were affected by the recent 6.7 magnitude earthquake, Rusne said they felt the tremors, but the home was not damaged.
“The children ran outside when the ground started shaking and stayed there until the tremors stopped,” he said.
At the time of visit, the children were not at the home, having gone back to their villages for a two-week school holiday.