Suyatmi's story (Grade 5)

On Saturday 27 May 2006, there was an earthquake. It was a tectonic quake.

Houses are in ruins. I feel very sad. Most of my family are safe, but some are hurt. Some of my neighbours are hurt too and some of them have died.

People are now living in tents or temporary houses made of bits and pieces. Even now, there are aftershocks. The earthquake came from the movement of the tectonic plates under the surface of the earth.

After the quake, our neighbours told us that a flood was coming. Thankfully, the flood turned out to be just a rumour. Everyone ran up the closest hill. Then when we realised there wasn’t a flood, we all ran down again. Then we all rested at the house at the bottom of the hill. From their garden, I could see our mountain, which is called Gunung Kidul. The mountain looked like it was moving, a follow-up earthquake.

Now I feel happy again, because we have a children’s centre where I can be with my friends in a safe place. My hope is that all the ruined houses can be fixed like they were before the earthquake. That everyone who was injured get better, and the people who lost family members can heal by being patient and giving thanks to God.