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Community to Community
International CSR - Banda Aceh
On the 26th December 2004, an earthquake and the ensuing tsunami struck countries in Asia and Africa, causing more death and destruction than any other natural disaster in the history of the world.
Following research it was decided that Dublin Port Company would fund and oversee the reconstruction of an elementary school in the port town of Lampoh Daya, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The Indonesian province of Aceh was chosen as it was deemed the worst affected area, with a greater number of dead, wounded and dislocated people.
Dublin Port Company resourced the project by providing funding of €200,000. The local communities of Dublin Port held a number of fundraising events, which brought the total fund to €225,000. Work commenced on the school reconstruction project in May 2005, and progressed quickly, with the school officially opened in November 2005. The new school, which can accommodate 250 children, has six classrooms, a teacher's room, a library and a computer lab.
The Banda Aceh School Reconstruction Project was initiated by Dublin Port Company having been identified as the most devestated region. Unicef were approached for advice and on recommendation, contact was made with Forum Bangun Aceh, a UN registered group which was established by local Government officials, local multi skilled Achenese and voluntary activists dedicated to local economic recovery through the empowerment of local communities.
The key objectives of the project for Dublin Port Company were as follows:
- Assist with the reconstruction of the Indonesian port community, Lampoh Daya, in partnership with Dublin's local port community.
- Fund the project directly so that the project could be advanced quickly, ensuring that it did not get embroiled in bureaucracy.
- Encourage families to return to the devastated town of Lampoh Daya, Banda Aceh.
- Kick start the local economy by providing employment through the project
- Forge an on-going link between the communities living around Dublin Port and the port communities of Lampoh Daya, Banda Aceh.
At home, the surrounding port communities of Dublin Port initiated a number of fundraising events to support the project, including a quiz night, race night and auction night. These fund raising efforts grew the fund from €220,000 to €225,000 and it was agreed that the extra money would be used to install a computer facility within the school which would offer children access to email and internet as well as helping them gain valuable IT skills.
On the 15th November, 2005, the newly reconstructed school, SD Negeri 101 was officially opened by the Mayor of Banda Aceh and representatives from Dublin Port Company.