The Emergency Disaster Response Team of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) conducted a healing therapy program for elementary school children in Batang Toru Subdistrict, South Tapanuli Regency, in response to recent floods and landslides, on Tuesday (16/12).
The activity was part of the Kampus Berdampak (Impactful Campus) program under the Community Service Program (PKM) of the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Diktisaintek RI), in collaboration with the Central MDMC, focusing on psychosocial recovery and trauma healing for children in the post-disaster period.
Three elementary schools in Garoga, Hutagodang, and Aek Ngadol villages were severely affected and could no longer be used for teaching and learning activities. As a result, learning activities were relocated and centralized at SDN 100711 Batu Hula, Batu Hula Village, Batang Toru Subdistrict.
The healing therapy sessions were led by Dr. Edy Suprayetno, M.Pd., together with a team of volunteers. The program included various educational and enjoyable activities such as educational ice-breaking, learning games, and basic English instruction, designed to help children regain joy, confidence, and motivation to learn.
Dr. Edy Suprayetno emphasized the importance of healing therapy in supporting children’s psychological recovery after disasters.
“Children are the most psychologically vulnerable group after a disaster. Through this healing therapy program, we aim to help them express emotions, reduce fear, and restore their sense of safety and enthusiasm for learning,” he explained.
He added that a fun and educational approach was intentionally chosen to ensure a natural recovery process.
“We apply a learning-through-play method, including simple English activities, so that children feel comfortable, happy, and confident again in the school environment,” he added.
Vice Principal of SDN 100711 Batu Hula, Sakdiah Pandiangan, expressed appreciation for the program and hoped it would help address students’ post-disaster trauma, enabling the learning process to improve.
Through this initiative, UMSU reaffirmed its commitment to continuing humanitarian efforts, particularly in supporting communities and children affected by natural disasters.
