Yenni Maulia

When the big wave came, Yenni, 15, tried to hold on to her sister’s hand. But they were separated, and the sister was never to be seen again. The family, based in Meulaboh in Indonesia’s Aceh Province, lost two girls, as well as their home and all their belongings. Yenni’s father ran a motorcar repair shop where men and boys of the extended family worked. With everything lost to the waves, they have to start all over again. Yenni attends emergency school, but progress is slow as most teachers were also killed. Amidst incredible hardships, Yenni remains optimistic and willing to speak her mind.