In late November last year, record-breaking rainfall struck Medan, Indonesia. State Primary School No. 066654, located in Helvetia and under the jurisdiction of the Medan City Education Office, was inundated when a nearby river overflowed, with floodwaters rising as high as three meters. The once-peaceful school grounds were thrown into chaos in a matter of moments.
After the floodwaters receded, the full extent of the damage became clear. Desks and chairs had been soaked in muddy water, and the humid climate caused mold to spread throughout the classrooms, accompanied by a severe odor. The flood had begun to cause secondary damage that seriously threatened both the children’s health and their right to education.
WeLoveU met with officials from the Medan City Education Office and the school principal to assess the damage firsthand and discuss in depth what assistance was most urgently needed.
| Category | Damage |
|---|---|
| Primary Damage | – Educational facilities: Complete flooding of classrooms and damage to educational equipment |
| Secondary Damage | – Sanitary conditions: Acute respiratory illnesses caused by mold on deteriorating wooden furniture – Learning conditions: Disruption of classes due to a shortage of usable desks and chairs |
“Because of the flood, all our books got wet, and the desks and chairs were damaged. Mold has grown on the furniture, so the air quality in the classrooms is very poor, and there are more mosquitoes now, too. We really need new desks and chairs.”
Allauddin Aqil Ibrahim, Student
“Dust keeps accumulating on the damaged desks, making it difficult even to breathe. Please help us so that our classes can return to normal.”
Syifa Sagita Tarian, Student
“Most of our school furniture is made of wood, which is prone to mold when exposed to water. Because of this, some of the children are suffering from respiratory illnesses. The moisture has weakened the desks so badly that they can develop holes just from being pressed. Sometimes four children have to crowd around a single desk that is still usable. We urgently need new desks and chairs.”
Kartini Tambunan, Principal
WeLoveU determined that sustainable support was needed to help the school prepare for future climate-related disasters. To overcome the limitations of the existing wooden furniture, which was highly vulnerable to moisture, and to protect the children’s health, WeLoveU decided to provide custom-designed desks and chairs with enhanced water resistance and durability.
Support Provided
100 Desks and Chairs
(Made with water-resistant, durable materials)
Expected Benefits
✍️
Protecting students’ right to education by enabling classes to resume normally
🏫
Creating a safe learning environment by preventing classroom furniture from warping and deteriorating
❤️🩹
Helping children overcome disaster-related trauma by restoring a clean and comfortable classroom environment
😷
Protecting students from respiratory illnesses and other diseases by preventing mold growth
Delivering Hope Through New Desks and Chairs
On May 25, the school was filled with a festive atmosphere from early in the morning. The Mayor of Medan, the head of the Medan City Education Office, city government officials, students, teachers and staff, and WeLoveU members gathered for a ceremony to mark the donation of the new desks and chairs. Together, they celebrated the school’s improved learning environment. As 100 sturdy, clean new desks and chairs filled three classrooms, bright smiles spread across the children’s faces.
One student sitting at a new desk said, “Until now, it was difficult to breathe, and I coughed a lot. I am very happy that I can now study safely and comfortably.” A teacher also expressed delight, saying, “Thanks to the new desks and chairs provided by WeLoveU, our students can now study with greater enthusiasm in a better learning environment.” The teacher then expressed gratitude in Korean, saying, “Gamsahamnida,” meaning “Thank you.”
The mayor and the head of the education office, who attended the event, expressed their deep gratitude for WeLoveU’s humanitarian assistance.
“With this support, our students can now study in a good environment. Good facilities support good education. I would like to thank the International WeLoveU Foundation, and I hope it will continue to spread its positive influence to countries around the world.”
Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas, Mayor of Medan
“Thank you for visiting the Medan City Education Office at a time when we needed help the most. WeLoveU gave us tremendous strength and hope throughout the process of helping the school recover from the flood damage. Thanks to this support, the school has been able to resume normal operations, and the students can continue their education.”
Dr. Laksamana Putra Siregar, Head of the Medan City Education Office
That day, representatives from the Medan City Government, the education office, and the school presented WeLoveU with certificates and plaques of appreciation, expressing their heartfelt gratitude for helping provide the children with a safer future. They also expressed their hope for continued humanitarian cooperation with WeLoveU.
WeLoveU will continue providing educational support around the world with the warm heart of a mother, helping ensure that children’s right to education is not compromised by environmental disasters. WeLoveU supports the boundless dreams of the children of Medan as they begin a new chapter of learning at their new desks.
