YOGYAKARTA- Iyan’s face (12 years old), a sixth grader of SD Candirejo, Sleman, is cheerful. There is no sign of fear or sadness on his face. In fact, Iyan is one of thousands of IDPs fleeing from Mount Merapi, who currently stays in the UGM Student Center. Iyan, along with his father, mother, and sister, since Thursday night (4/11), had evacuated due to the eruption of Merapi. "We came here from home since Thursday night," said Iyan in the Student Center on Monday (8/11).
Iyan was met while playing chess with Rosyid (8 years), a second grader of SD Purwodadi, Sleman, who also fled to the same camp. They are accompanied by some student volunteers from UGM.
According to Iyan, during the evacuation, he felt quite comforted. They can do many activities and games to relieve boredom and pass the time. Children in this place can also play football, games, and watch movies. "In the afternoon, we often play football. At night, sometimes we watch a movie," Iyan added while moving the pawn on the chessboard.
Almost the same as Iyan, Rosyid feels happy in the camp. There is no problem to eat, sleep, and have a shower in UGM Student Center. He just hopes that the Merapi eruption would end soon so that he can return home and go back to school. "Yes, I am already homesick and miss the school," said Rosyid who came to the camp with his father and mother.
This activity is very recommended, especially for children affected by the Merapi. Azwar, student of Civil Engineering Department class 2009, said that students who participated as volunteers can accompany the children and entertain them with various exciting games. "Actually, it is not only games or watching movies, but we also do morning exercise to keep the body fit," said Azwar.
Iyan’s fun, Rosyid’s, and other children’s in camps is increasing when ‘Smart Car’ from the Solidarity Group of Wives of Cabinet Ministers’ (SIKIB) came to the Student Center and UGM Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Cultural Center. The Smart Car brought hundreds of books that can be borrowed, especially by the children. They also received coloring books.
Meanwhile, as of Sunday (7/11) at 21:50, the number of IDPs at the Student Center amounted to 236 people, consisting of 116 men and 120 women, while at UGM Cultural Center there were 812 IDPs consisting of 397 men and 415 women.