The schools were officially opened on Thursday 13 October 2005. Attending were representatives of the Torvald Klaveness Group (TKG), Wilh. Wilhelmsen (WW) and the » Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). The Norwegian Embassy in Indonesia and local authorities were also present.
This was the first such project authorised by the Indonesian government after the enormous devastation caused by the tsunami.
The new school buildings are modern and fully equipped. The construction work was completed in record time: after four months, the first two schools are ready to be put to use.
14 of the 24 primary schools located in the Meureubo district in the Aceh province were destroyed or seriously damaged by the tidal wave. Two of these schools have now been rebuilt with the help of Norwegian business. They cost approximately USD 100 000 each and will accommodate a total of 216 children and 18 teachers. The employees in TKG and WW have closely monitored the project and published regular updates on their respective intranets.
The children enjoyed the opening festivities and participated actively.
“This was a pilot project and a good example of how the Norwegian business sector and a humanitarian organisation can work together and take international social responsibility,” said secretary general Raymond Johansen in NRC.
Jon Erik Nygaard, NRC’s country director in Indonesia, stated that many students and about 2000 teachers were killed by the tsunami.
“The children who now take possession of their new schools have since the tsunami been taught in tents erected by NRC. By the end of 2005 NRC will rebuild and repair around 30 schools.”
Cecilie Stray, head of corporate communication at WW and Finn Hovland, operations manager at TKG express hope for the future: “Both Klaveness and Wilh. Wilhelmsen are worldwide companies and we are therefore happy to help the children in an area where we have significant activities. Perhaps by helping these kids get a proper education, we are also contributing to the future of Asia.”
The Aceh-province was one of the areas hit hardest by the tsunami on 26 December 2004. A huge number of lives were lost, and large parts of the infrastructure were destroyed as well, including domestic buildings, schools, water supplies, electricity and roads. Over half a million people lost their homes. Approximately 80% of the Meulaboh area, where the schools are located, was wiped out.