SOUTH BANGKA -- A fire that swept through Serdang Hamlet, Jelutung II Village, South Bangka Regency, left several children without their school uniforms and supplies. To help meet the educational needs of affected children, PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk distributed 210 packages containing school uniforms and supplies on Thursday (October 15, 2026).
The assistance reflects PT TIMAH's commitment to helping children return to school and regain their motivation to learn after experiencing the hardships caused by the disaster.
The donation was welcomed with gratitude by parents and local government officials. The fire, which devastated the residential area on October 10, 2026, destroyed not only homes but also many of the families' valuable belongings, including clothing and children's school supplies.
One of the recipients, Darmi Susanti (34), whose son Adrian attends TK KB Muhajirin, said she never expected the flames to reach their home. When the fire broke out, she had little time to save her belongings.
For Darmi, the school uniforms and supplies were especially meaningful. After the fire destroyed her family's clothing and possessions, she had to start over in meeting their basic needs, including her son's school essentials.
"Nothing could be saved, including the children's school supplies. Everything was burned. Thank God, the children have received shoes and uniforms from PT TIMAH," she said.
The assistance has helped ease the family's financial burden while ensuring that her son can continue participating in school activities.
Anshori, Head of the South Bangka Regency Education and Culture Office, expressed his appreciation for PT TIMAH's assistance. According to him, the donated shoes, Scout uniforms, and stationery directly address the needs of children affected by the fire.
"PT TIMAH has provided 210 assistance packages to support the educational needs of affected children across various grade levels, from early childhood education through senior high school," he said.
He explained that in the immediate aftermath of the fire, many children experienced fear and sadness because of what they had been through. Therefore, recovery efforts must go beyond meeting physical needs and include psychological support to help children feel safe and regain their enthusiasm.
The South Bangka Regency Education and Culture Office has also been working to provide psychological assistance and trauma recovery support. Anshori expressed his gratitude that PT TIMAH had also provided trauma recovery services for fire survivors.
As time passes, the children's motivation to return to school is gradually growing. Support from various parties, including the government, companies, and other organizations, is expected to help them overcome this difficult period and resume their education.
He hopes these efforts will help restore the children's enthusiasm for learning while ensuring that their education continues despite the challenges they face.
The desire to return to school is also shared by Wenda, an eighth-grade student at SMP Negeri 2 Simpang Rimba. Although she is still saddened by the disaster, she hopes to return to school and resume her studies with renewed enthusiasm.
"All my school supplies were destroyed in the fire. Nothing could be saved. When it happened, I was outside, and only my parents were at home. I'm sad because I haven't been able to go to school for four days. Thank you, PT TIMAH, for the assistance. It has helped me feel a little more motivated," she said.
Through this assistance, PT TIMAH hopes that children affected by the fire can begin rebuilding their lives, continue their education, and pursue their dreams. As recovery efforts continue, the opportunity to return to school represents an important step toward restoring their hope for the future. (*)
