Life goes on for tsunami victims in Kedah
SUNGAI PETANI: Many turned up without any books, wearing not their school uniforms but what they usually wore at home.
But they came to school anyway, because “life must go on” – as many of these tsunami survivors who turned up at SM Kota Kuala Muda yesterday, said.
The mood at the school, which re-opened yesterday, was bleak after these 170-odd students lost almost everything to the giant waves that struck their villages a week ago.
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BACK TO SCHOOL: SM Kota Kuala Muda teacher Abd Ghani Yusof (left) asking how Jamaliah Ahmad (right) and her family who were affected by Sunday’s massive waves are coping a week after the tragedy. |
Noor Atikah and friends Nor Amirah Mahadir and Siti Kamariah Abdul Samad, lost their homes and personal belongings when the tsunami hit.
“I did not want to come to school today but life must go on. So, that’s why I’m here,” said Noor Atikah, from Kampung Mesjid, one of the 13 villages affected by the tsunami.
The girls were waiting to be admitted into Form Four.
She said her family of four siblings, father, Md Akhir Said, 52, a fisherman and mother Sabariah Razali, 49, had lost everything to the giant waves.
“We were holding a wedding reception for my brother when the waves hit.”
The family’s home was completely damaged and they are now staying at a relief centre, set up at SK Kota Kuala Muda.
“I don’t even have my school uniform and books. I have no choice but to wear my house clothes to school today,” she said.
Sharing a similar plight, Nor Amirah who is also from the same village, said she had not endured such suffering in her life, adding: “I hope God will give us the strength to endure what we are going through now”.
Siti Kamariah, from Kampung Padang Salim, said her family members, who were all placed at the same relief centre, had made her go to school.
“I did not have the mood to go to school at all,” said Siti.
She expressed grief at losing her friend, Nur Suzana Sabdin, 15, who died in hospital last week.
“I miss her a lot as she was a good friend,” she said.
Nur Suzana, from Kampung Kepala Jalan in Kota Kuala Muda was among the 10 people who died in the tsunami tragedy in Kedah.
SM Kota Kuala Muda headmistress Inson Desa said 350 of the 1,598 students enrolled were affected by the tsunami tragedy.
Only about half of those affected turned up on the first day of the new school term here.
She said school uniforms, text books and stationery would be provided for the students concerned, adding that the school had launched a donation drive to help the students.
The school also observed a one-minute silence and offered prayers to those who perished in the tragedy and others who had lost their homes and belongings.
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