A Safe Space for Karla Amidst the Aftermath of the Flores Earthquake
26 August 2026
Amidst the sea of displacement tents erected after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the northern region of Flores, children’s laughter is slowly returning. For nine-year-old Karla, that laughter is a gentle reminder that hope remains, even though her young life has been tested repeatedly by loss and disaster.
Karla is a young girl with big dreams. One day, she wants to become a doctor so she can help people in need. She lives in a village in Manggarai Regency, one of the areas hit hard by the quake. Having lost her father when she was just a baby, Karla now lives with her grandfather’s sister, while her mother works far away on Java Island to support the family.
Before the earthquake, Karla walked over a kilometer to school every single day. To her, distance was never a barrier to learning. School was her favorite place—a sanctuary where she could meet her friends and take small steps toward her dream of becoming a doctor.
On the morning the major earthquake struck, Karla was already awake when violent tremors began shaking her home. In a moment of panic, she ran outside to save herself. But as she rushed through the door, falling debris from a collapsing wall hit her leg, leaving her with minor injuries.
“I just ran straight outside,” she recalled softly.
Although her physical injuries were not severe, the experience left a lingering fear behind. Like many other children in her community, Karla had to adapt to life around the displacement camp while waiting for stability and safety to return.
In the midst of these challenging conditions, Plan Indonesia’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) stepped in to provide psychosocial support for children affected by the earthquake. When the team visited the displacement site, Karla and several other children were gathered near the camp.
They were invited to join in games, sing songs, and participate in various activities carefully designed to help them express their emotions, ease anxiety, and reclaim a sense of safety after such a traumatic event.
At first, Karla appeared shy and reserved. But as the activities went on, her smile began to blossom. She sang along with her friends, joined in the games, and giggled as the facilitators from Plan Indonesia warmly engaged with them.
Here is the English translation of the final section, maintained in the same warm, narrative, and inspiring NGO tone:
During that moment, Karla also received a recreational kit handed out by Dini Widiastuti, Executive Director of Plan Indonesia, to be shared with the other children at the displacement site.
To many, a kit filled with games and toys might seem simple. But for children like Karla, play offers a dedicated space to rediscover joy amidst uncertainty. Playing helps them rebuild self-confidence, strengthen bonds with their peers, and briefly leave behind the fears brought on by the disaster.
In between activities, Karla opened up about how deeply she missed going back to school. In the aftermath of the earthquake, classes had been temporarily suspended until August 29. What she missed most was not just the classroom lessons, but her friends who accompanied her every day to study and play.
“I really want to go back to school soon,” she said.
Her simple wish serves as a poignant reminder that in any emergency, children’s needs go beyond just food, clean water, and safe shelter. They also require emotional support to heal from experiences that turned their lives upside down.
Through psychosocial support services, Plan Indonesia strives to ensure that children affected by the earthquake continue to have a safe space to play, learn, and rekindle hope. Post-disaster recovery is not merely about rebuilding destroyed homes; it is about restoring the spirit and mental well-being of the children who represent our future.
Amidst the lingering uncertainty enveloping the quake-affected region, Karla chooses to keep dreaming. She still wants to become a doctor. And behind the smile that is slowly blossoming once more lies a quiet conviction that one day soon, she will put on her school uniform again, study alongside her friends, and take another step closer toward her dream.
Written by: Agus Haru | Editor: Dewi Sumanah | Photo: Plan Indonesia / Agus Haru
