Aceh Tamiang – The major floods that struck Aceh Tamiang Regency in November 2025 not only caused physical damage but also affected the psychological well-being of the community, particularly children. In response to this situation, undergraduate students from the Psychology Study Program at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) initiated an educational recovery and psychosocial support program for children affected by the disaster in Sukajadi Paya Bujuk Village, Karang Baru District, Aceh Tamiang Regency.

The initiative was led by Fadhila Aureliya Putri Samsudin, an undergraduate psychology student at UNY, together with a multidisciplinary KKN team consisting of Syifa Nur Istiqomah (Primary School Teacher Education), Abna Agiel Restuning (Automotive Engineering Education), Wahyu Setyo Nugroho (Primary School Teacher Education), and M. Haikal Putra Zati (Geography Education). The program was carried out during the KKN period from January 10 to February 3, 2026, under the supervision of Dr. Kuncoro Asih Nugroho, S.Pd., M.Pd., M.Sc.

Upon arriving at the location, the KKN team found that many students attended school without adequate learning supplies because their books, pencils, and stationery had been damaged or swept away by the flood. Meanwhile, post-disaster recovery efforts in the area were still largely focused on infrastructure rehabilitation, leaving the educational and psychosocial needs of children insufficiently addressed.

In response, the students implemented two main initiatives. The first was a stationery donation drive, conducted both online and offline. Through this initiative, the team successfully raised IDR 2,165,000, which was used to purchase stationery packages consisting of notebooks, pencils, colored pencils, and erasers. These packages were distributed through TK Islam Miftahul Khairi and SD Negeri Paya Kulbi to students most affected by the flood.

The second initiative involved psychosocial assistance through expressive drawing and painting activities. Approximately 135 children participated in the activity, including 35 kindergarten students and more than 100 elementary school students. During the sessions, children were given full freedom to express their feelings and experiences through drawings without thematic restrictions or evaluation.

This art-based approach served as a cathartic medium that helped children channel their emotions and rebuild their self-confidence after experiencing the disaster. The initially rigid atmosphere gradually became warmer as the children enthusiastically presented their artwork to the facilitators.

The program brought positive impacts to the children in the village. Their motivation to return to school gradually increased, and even the limited clothing they had after the flood did not reduce their enthusiasm for learning. Children who had previously been quiet and withdrawn also began to show greater confidence in interacting with others and expressing themselves.

This initiative also represents the contribution of UNY undergraduate psychology students in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. Through a simple yet meaningful psychological approach, the students aimed to help children recover and rediscover joy after the disaster.

For the community of Sukajadi Paya Bujuk Village, this program not only provided learning supplies but also created a safe space where children could heal, express themselves, and once again experience joy in the learning process.