- 8:25 AM
- June 4, 2026
Bingkai Karya – Although the floods that affected Aceh and other parts of Sumatra have subsided, the recovery process for children is still ongoing, particularly in terms of access to education. Limited learning facilities and disrupted daily routines have made the need for safe and supportive learning environments increasingly important in the aftermath of the disaster. According to data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as of February 2026, a total of 4,922 educational institutions across Sumatra were affected by disasters, including 3,120 schools in Aceh. These disruptions impacted more than 707,161 students and 59,620 teachers. In Aceh, the disaster not only damaged school infrastructure but also disrupted learning activities and reduced the availability of educational resources, leaving many students to continue their studies with limited facilities.
In response to this situation, Maudy Ayunda Foundation and Save the Children Indonesia have joined forces to support children affected by the floods in East Aceh through the construction of Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) and literacy support programs. This initiative aims to help children gradually resume their educational journey in a safe and conducive environment.
This collaboration aligns with Maudy Ayunda Foundation’s commitment since 2018 to consistently support education and youth development initiatives across Indonesia, including through its Education Infrastructure pillar, which focuses on improving learning facilities in underserved areas.
Maudy Ayunda, Founder of Maudy Ayunda Foundation, shared: “In East Aceh, I witnessed firsthand how a disaster can destroy classrooms, but it cannot break children’s determination to come to school and continue learning. That is what left the deepest impression on me.”
“Often, what is lacking is not children’s willingness or enthusiasm to learn, but access to educational opportunities and spaces that enable them to continue their studies. When access to education is already limited, disasters like these can further widen educational inequalities. We believe that every child deserves access to quality education, even in the most challenging circumstances. That is why educational support during disaster recovery is so important.”
The need for safe and supportive learning spaces is also reflected in the findings of an Education Rapid Assessment conducted by Save the Children Indonesia in several areas of Aceh. The assessment showed that although 90% of schools had resumed learning activities, student attendance, particularly at preschool and kindergarten levels, remained low due to access and transportation challenges, as well as concerns about safety. These findings highlight that post-disaster educational recovery is not only about reopening schools but also about ensuring that children have safe and supportive spaces where they can regain a sense of normalcy and continue their learning journey.
Dessy Kurwiany Ukar, CEO of Save the Children Indonesia, stated: “Together with Maudy Ayunda Foundation, we hope to provide more than just a learning space for children in East Aceh. Amid the loss and significant changes they have experienced following the disaster, Temporary Learning Spaces offer children a place where they can feel safe again, reconnect with friends, receive support from teachers, and gradually rebuild hope. For children, returning to learning is part of finding the courage to recover and move forward with their future.”
Through this collaboration, Maudy Ayunda Foundation and Save the Children Indonesia hope that support for post-disaster education will continue to be a shared priority. As recovery efforts remain ongoing, the presence of safe and supportive learning environments is expected to help children continue learning, grow, and maintain hope for a brighter future.
As part of this initiative, Maudy Ayunda Foundation and Save the Children Indonesia also invite the public to contribute to the development of Temporary Learning Spaces for children affected by the floods in East Aceh through: support.savethechildren.or.id. Further information about this collaboration can also be found on the official Instagram accounts @savechildren_id and @maudyayundafoundation.
About Maudy Ayunda Foundation
Founded by Maudy Ayunda in 2018, the Maudy Ayunda Foundation is committed to supporting education and youth development in Indonesia through four key pillars: Professional Development, Academic and Project Scholarships, Student & Teacher Support, and Education Infrastructure. Through various programs, the Foundation strives to expand access to educational opportunities for Indonesian youth. To date, its mentorship and scholarship programs have reached more than 3,000 applicants from Indonesia and Indonesian students studying abroad, conducted three mentorship cohorts, and built a community consisting of 91 mentee alumni and 16 scholarship recipients.
About Save the Children Indonesia
Save the Children believes that every child deserves a future. In Indonesia and around the world, we do whatever it takes, every day and during times of crisis to ensure children have a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. Our experts work in some of the most difficult and hard-to-reach places, where being a child is especially challenging. We ensure that children’s unique needs are met and that their voices are heard. Together with children, families, communities, and supporters worldwide, we deliver lasting results for millions of children. With more than 100 years of experience, Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and transforming lives for a better future.
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