TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

After The Tsunami

ADVERTISEMENT

The Washington Post

Published: February 7, 2008

Three years ago, a disastrous wave called a tsunami, unleashed by an underwater earthquake, washed over South Asia. More than 200,000 people died; many more lost their homes and possessions.

As part of the healing process, the American Red Cross gave cameras to 80 children in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, two of the hardest-hit countries, and asked them to photograph what their lives are like today.

"After the tsunami was a painful period," said one of the children, Nova Safrianti, 11, of Aceh Jaya in Indonesia. "There were so many victims. ... There was also a lack of food, but we were able to eat because we shared food among other survivors."

While their words recall the terror of the tsunami, their photographs reveal hope that recovery is under way in this beautiful part of the world.

Azura Helmahera, 10, at her house in Banda Aceh, Indonesia:

"The boy is my close friend and neighbor. ... We all remember how the tsunami swept everyone away. They did not have food for a few days and also were not able to go to school. When I went back to school, I found that many of my friends had died."

Nur Khalid Akbar, 11, at a schoolyard in Banda Aceh:

"The boys are my best friends who survived. ... I saw the tsunami directly and remember climbing to the second floor of my house, which still got hit by the waves. ... My father was not with us, so we thought he died. However, we found my father, and the whole family survived."

G.M. Kavinda Krishan Fernando, 10, near a market in Kalutara, Sri Lanka:

"He was a very old man carrying a heavy sack, and I felt sad for him. But the heavy sack will help him earn money for his livelihood."

Raveen Pramudith, 12, at Polhena Beach in Matara, Sri Lanka:

"I was playing ... on the beach when I saw my younger brother sitting on the rock in deep thought. I wanted to take this picture with the beauty of the beach. ... When the tsunami hit Sri Lanka, my family and I were frightened and ran to my grandmother's house. One of my aunts couldn't walk, so she stayed in our house but passed away. We lost all of our belongings. ... Our village was not as beautiful as it was before, and it was full of darkness."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT