Kids helping kids
The Asia Pacific Emergency Appeal
In response to the tragic disasters in Samoa and Sumatra, SchoolAid launched The Asia Pacific Emergency Appeal.
SchoolAid has teamed up with SurfAid International to help your compassionate action take shape in Sumatra after the devastating earthquake on 30 September 2009.
The Asia Pacific Emergency Appeal urges schools to get involved in supporting the recovery and re-building of lives across the Asia Pacific recently hit by natural disasters such as the tsunami in Samoa and the earthquake in Sumatra. Get involved by raising funds or sending out a "Message of Hope".
In the true spirit of kids helping kids we encourage your school to get involved- with hearts and hands we can make a difference.
Downloads
News report featuring SchoolAid and SurfAid!
29 April 2010
The SBS TV story on our Psychosocial Support Program (Tampek Mangadu) - which we have been running in Padang in partnership with SurfAid since the September earthquake - is being broadcast worldwide on CNN International this month. The story aired nationally in Australia on Sunday 4 April.
Reporter Auskar Surbakti covered the earthquake in September and recently returned to Padang to do an update on what was happening there six months later.
Click here to watch the CNN story on SchoolAid and SurfAid's Psychosocial Support Program in Padang in case you missed it ...
Latest Update on "Tampek Mangadu" Project
12 February 2010
SchoolAid and SurfAid International are proud to update you all on the exciting events and progress made in the "Tampek Mangadu" Project. This translates to mean "A shoulder to lean on". An education group from Cendana Andalas School in Padang (pictured right courtesy of Stacey Howe/ SurfAid International) thanks all those schools who have participated in this Project.
Through the involvement of over 185 schools across Australia, and the partnership with SurfAid International, hundreds of children and their families are benefitting from the psychosocial counselling and grief support. It is an ongoing process, however through artwork, cultural expression and community support a huge impact has been made in the lives of so many.
See below photograph of a psychosocial education session in Parak Buruak.
(photo courtesy of Stacey Howe/ SurfAid International)
The below picture shows children in
Parak Buruak engaging in a traditional game where a kerupok (large
cracker) is tied to a string. The child has to hold their hands
behind their backs while they eat the cracker. Whoever eats the
cracker the fastest, wins.
On the day of the Sunday event, 5-8 years olds competed in this
game. Many
of the children had their front teeth missing so it was absolutely
hilarious when they were trying to bite the cracker. Families
gathered to support and encourage their children. This event
definitely brought a smile to everyone's face.
(photo courtesy of Stacey Howe/ SurfAid International)
Below is a photograph of two teenagers in Parak Buruak demonstrating "pencak silat" which is a traditional fighting dance. There is a group of children in the community who practice traditional dancing on a weekly basis. This is a great psychosocial activity that strengthens children's ability to cope with change and to trust in themselves and others.
(photo courtesy of Stacey Howe/ SurfAid International)
Act now! Dozens of schools around Australia are already participating in our Asia Pacific Emergency Appeal and we are proud to announce our partnership with SurfAid International's 'Tampek Mangadu' project in Sumatra, which means, 'a shoulder to lean on'.
1 December 2009
While we are enjoying our school holidays, the children of Samoa and Sumatra have been struggling with the enormity of their losses following the tsunami and earthquake disasters. Kids in these areas have lost everything, many have lost parents, relatives and friends - it is unimaginable to us. SchoolAid founder, Sean Gordon flew into Samoa just days after the tsunami struck. He found it difficult to convey in words how horrific the scenes were, with so many lives lost, homes destroyed and schools devastated.
(Image courtesy of SurfAid International)
Shindy, pictured above, is a 12 year old girl who was rescued from under the rubble of her home in Pedang.
Turn your compassion and concern into action by clicking here.
Send out your Message of Hope to the kids impacted by these disasters- your thoughts and wishes mean so much to these kids in this time of suffering!
We are also pleased to report to you that the relief and recovery work being undertaken in Samoa is progressing well with most kids and families slowly but steadily re-building their lives following the tsunami.
Learn interesting facts about these naturally occurring disasters and incorporate this information into your lessons in the classroom! Find out more about emergencies like tsunamis and earthquakes at the Australian Government's website for schools' learning by clicking here .
ALERT - TEACHERS…
SurfAid International also have fantastic classroom activities and lesson plans you can access to give kids a fun and interesting learning experience around their philanthropic activity - connecting them to their giving in a deep and lasting way!
SurfAid International partnership
Dozens of schools around Australia are participating in our Asia Pacific Emergency Appeal and we are proud to announce our partnership with SurfAid International's 'Tampek Mangadu' project in Sumatra, which means 'a shoulder to lean on'.
The SurfAid Tampek Mangadu project is all about supporting kids in their grief and loss and on-going trauma response following the earthquake that recently claimed the lives of over 1000 people and destroyed the city of Pedang in Sumatra, Indonesia.
We still need your support - the work to be undertaken in Sumatra is not small but together and with SurfAid we can make a huge difference - get involved, click here!
Get involved and win a Billabong pack
Australian surf company, Billabong, is right behind our partnership with SurfAid and your school could receive a Billabong Pack by registering in the Asia Pacific Emergency Appeal AND if your school makes the largest contribution to our Appeal we will say a huge thank you by sending champion surfers to your school or offering you a day surfing with them!
Get involved, click here.
We are also pleased to report to you that the relief and recovery work being undertaken in Samoa is progressing well with most kids and families slowly but steadily re-building their lives following the tsunami with the support of committed aid agencies and community organizations and the Samoan Government.
Click here to send a Message of Hope to the affected communities.
Meeting with Samoan Prime Minister
SchoolAid Founder, Sean Gordon met with the Samoan Prime Minister, who personally thanked the Australian schools and kids already on board with this Appeal through fundraising and sending Messages of Hope.
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