A September 2026 update from Play Therapy Indonesia and Bentara Campus describes psychosocial activities with children and families following the Flores earthquake.
In Cibal, Manggarai, the team worked with 156 children who had lost their school. For one week from 15 September, they met children each morning under a temporary tent, alongside a play and creative arts therapist from Ruteng and her volunteer community.
Children drew freely, sang, shared stories and danced the Caci, Manggarai’s traditional dance. The activities brought together play and creative arts, StoryPlay, group psychotherapy and local cultural knowledge, offering opportunities for children to express feelings through art and movement without judgement or interpretation.
With parents, the team explored how fear and trauma may appear in children, how adults can support regulation, and how to offer a safe, secure base.
At the local SLB school, outdoor activities included 76 Deaf and hard-of-hearing students and 36 blind and low-vision students. Sessions took place among the cemara trees and ended with everyone dancing and moving together.
Contribution from Dr Alice Arianto, Psy.D, CGP; Lily Salim; and Annggie Narwastu. Play Therapy Indonesia and Bentara Campus.
