The community on Mount Rinjani has been devastated by the recent, ongoing, earthquakes in Lombok. Many homes have been rendered uninhabitable and others have been reduced to rubble. People are now living in tents and make-shift shelters in open spaces. Most are homeless. They are scared to return home for fear of more earthquakes. Many families have been cut off from water, having to travel over earthquake damaged roads and bridges to gain access to drinking water.
The community needs help right now. Some aid will come from the government, volunteers and donations. This is great. However as the media lose interest and the government has more pressing matters to attend to the aid will fade away and that’s where we need to continue to help.
As the rubble is cleared away and the rebuilding commences, the plan is to start a community project to reunite the people and return the joy and liveliness within the community. The project will involve the creation of a community space in what is left of one of the local villages. This will be a space for everyone. It will be a meeting area, a shop, for local crafts, a community hall and an area for classes. The building will be cheap, but well built. We will use local materials such as bamboo, wood and grass. This traditional method of building is perfect for the area. It is easy to maintain and it is extremely resistant to earthquakes and flooding. It will be a space for people to stay connected, to feel safe as they start again with their lives.
We want to raise the money to help our friends. In Indonesia a little can go a long way. So, for the price of a coffee, a pizza or movie ticket, you can help families make a start towards rebuilding their lives and homes in Senaru.
Some of the money raised will go towards helping the community with their immediate needs. The rest will be used to create the new community space when the rebuilding starts.
Thank you in advance from the team and our wonderful Sasak friends.