REPORT ON ACEH SCHOOLS 1 MILLION TREE PROJECT
April 2007

International School Brunei initiated the 1 Million Tree Project and socialized the project to Sekolah Swasta Seri Insan in March 2007. 

Seri Insan’s has sister schools in Aceh Darulsalam who are linked to several of Seri Insan’s projects.  The main link project for the sister schools in the final academic term of the Aceh School is the 1 Million Tree Project and ISB Brunei very generously raised the funds and donated B $300 towards the purchase of trees for the Aceh project.

In March 2007 300 Bintaro trees were purchased and divided among three schools Aceh schools.  100 trees were allocated to SMAN 1 Peukan Bada (Senior High School 1); 100 to SMPN 1 Peukan Bada (Junior High School 1) and 100 to SD Kerung Raya (Primary School).

In April both high schools planted the trees but as the number was too great to be planted in the compound of each school some of the trees were taken to SMPN1 Lhoknga and
the USINDO Lab School and well as UNSYIAH (University).  This project was enthusiastically received by all schools. 

SMP and SMA students and teachers over a period of a few days prepared and planted the about a meter high trees. Principals, teachers and students were all involved in the planting. 

A major consideration was the very poor soils in this area. The soil types are salty due to the excess water saturating the soil during tsunami (these schools were at ground zero), so the most adaptable tree was bintaro, a broadleaf hardy deciduous tall tree.  One month later in May the trees were doing well. 

SMPN 1 Lhoknga has not yet planted their trees but will to do so in June. The reason for this is their school which was completely wiped out in tsunami is nearing completion of their new premises and only after the construction debris is cleared will they plant trees.  The school is scheduled to open in the new academic year beginning July 2007.

SD Kerung Raya also has not planted their trees as they are still completing fences to keep out the goats which frequent their school.  Once the fences are complete and the school is goat-proof then several trees will be planted in the compound as well as around the perimeter of the school with a fence around each tree.

All Aceh schools are very grateful to ISB for their generosity in supporting the reconstruction program for Seri Insan sister schools at ground zero in Aceh Besar province.

Kathryn Rivai
Provisi Education Jakarta/Seri Insan Secondary school, Sabah
May 23rd 2007