February 2005

Putri: February 2005

Putri Karmila, 8, lived in Lampaya village in Indonesia’s Aceh Province with her father, mother, brother and sister. Vera, her eldest sister, was married and in nearby Leupung village.

Vera, who was expecting her first child, came visiting her family on the Friday before the ‘Tsunami Sunday’. She returned home for a pre-natal check-up, saying she would be back on Sunday. But that was the last time her family saw Vera alive.

The tsunami changed all their lives forever: the waves killed Vera, destroyed Putri’s home and most of the village, and flattened the cement factory where their father, Mukhsin, used to work.

"If only Vera had come a bit earlier that day, she might still be with us," says Fatima, Putri’s mother.

Vera’s body was found a few days after the disaster. It was not clear whether she survived the waves and died later of a complicated pregnancy.

Muses Mukhsin: "I feel sad about losing my daughter...but (it’s) nothing compared to

the families who lost eight or even more (members). When I think about it, my sadness is less."

Putri recalls how her family ran away to a nearby mountain to escape the waves. Along with many others, they stayed on the mountain for three days with no food and no sleep. During that time, they made quick forays to their ruined village -- but kept running back up the mountain fearing more waves.

Putri’s family now has a tent as their temporary home in Refugee Camp 85 in Lhok Nga, Aceh Besar. Instead of a new nephew or niece, all Putri now has to cuddle is a teddy bear.

"On the mountain, I didn’t think much about Vera," says Putri. "But here in the camp,

I can’t stop thinking about her."

She doesn’t quite believe her mother’s assurance that Vera is now in heaven. "I want Vera to come home, so we can be together again."