Jakarta. In response to the devastating earthquake that struck Garut in September, a collaborative effort led by Yayasan Bakti Barito, Happy Hearts Indonesia, and KitaBisa is underway to rebuild two schools: SDN 3 Barusari and SDN 4 Barusari, both located in the Pasirwangi district of Garut, West Java. This project aims to restore safe learning environments for 220 students and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The earthquake's impact on these schools necessitates urgent reconstruction. Research has shown that past earthquakes, like the 2006 Java quake, led to educational setbacks, with students losing nearly a year of schooling and being 10-11 percent less likely to complete their education. Rebuilding these schools with modern, earthquake-resistant materials is crucial to ensuring that students' education continues uninterrupted.

Yayasan Bakti Barito, Happy Hearts Indonesia, and KitaBisa have launched a fundraising campaign targeting Rp 1.4 billion to reconstruct these schools. The new buildings will be made from earthquake-resistant materials, including 9.4 tons of recycled plastic bricks, which also help reduce around 22 tons of carbon emissions. Yayasan Bakti Barito is also leading a digital activation campaign on the KitaBisa platform to raise public awareness and encourage participation.

“This campaign shows the incredible power of community efforts. By involving Indonesians nationwide and leveraging our platform, we aim to rebuild these schools with a focus on resilience and sustainability,” said Edo Irfandi, Director of KitaBisa.org.

“We prioritize restoring a safe learning environment for the students as soon as possible,” added Fifi Pangestu, Executive Director of Yayasan Bakti Barito.

Inspired by the vision of their founder, Prajogo Pangestu, Fifi said that education is key to building resilient communities. “Reconstructing these schools with earthquake-resistant materials will ensure rapid recovery and long-term educational stability for the children in Garut,” she emphasized.

Sylvia Beiwinkler, CEO of Happy Hearts Indonesia, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the long-term impact of sustainable rebuilding efforts. "By using recycled plastic bricks, we’re setting a new benchmark for future disaster recovery. These schools will contribute to 11 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring a brighter and more resilient future for the community,” she said.

Happy Hearts Indonesia will lead the rebuilding using innovative recycled plastic bricks. These eco-friendly materials not only support sustainability goals but also provide more durable structures prepared for future disasters.

The public fundraising campaign hosted on KitaBisa has gained support from various sectors across Indonesia. Yayasan Bakti Barito will match the funds raised to maximize impact.

Through the "Green Guardians" program, Yayasan Bakti Barito will provide local teachers with training on integrating climate education into the curriculum, equipping students to become proactive environmental stewards.

This initiative has already garnered widespread attention and support, with volunteers expected to play a crucial role in the rebuilding process.

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