With the one-year anniversary of the devastating and tragic tsunami of 26 December 2004 fast approaching, Church World Service remains in affected regions, supporting survivors in the rebuilding of their lives.

Nearly one year after the tsunami hit, survivors are still searching for hope and a secure future, with one spokesman for the village of Meue in Aceh, telling a group of visitor recently that optimism is still something hard-earned.

In the small village of Meue, lives were lost and the homes and fishing fleet destroyed.

CWS entered into partnership with the community and has helped over the last year to bring stability back to the lives of the people as well as to replenish the village’s fishing fleet of 15 boats.

The people of the village, with support from CWS, have also rebuilt 91 houses over the last year.

“There’s no other place to go,” said village chief Abu Bakar Mahmud, 50. “But we’re strong, resilient people.”

According to Indra Rerungan, a CWS technical officer helping to coordinate housing efforts in Meue, those assisting CWS in rebuilding efforts are not outside contractors, but rather people from either the affected communities or nearby communities.

Syaraini, a 31-year-old mother of three from the village of Meue, said that the worries and fears of the community have “calmed” a bit and that the reconstruction of housing has made “everyone feel more secure, so they can focus on earning an income”.

Speaking on her hope for the future, Syaraini said: “All I want is for my children to be useful and resourceful for themselves.”

In the village of Krueng Kala, south of Banda Aceh, children have benefited from a psychosocial support programme which has helped many of them overcome their fear of noises that sound like another tsunami as well as the sound of helicopters.

Siti Mariam said the children on the programme are now engaged, funny and “not afraid to express their emotions”.

CWS staffer, Ejodia Kakunsi, said: “This is not just about building homes but building for the future.”