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This is Ony Purwitisari, a 33 year old female Civil Engineer rebuilding schools on the Island of Simeulue. Ony’s example shows how the devestation of the tsunami has also brought new opportunity.

With the support of Caritas Australia, Cordaid a Dutch member of the Caritas network is rebuilding 65 schools on the remote island of Simeulue, the closest landmass to the epicentre of the December 26 2004 earthquake.

Working in a male dominated industry, in an Islamic country has been a difficult path for Ony. “My father was an engineer and my mother an accountant, so I was fortunate to be born into a professional family, but when I told my father I wanted to be an engineer he tried very hard to dissuade me. He believed that it wasn’t a good job for a woman”.

It has always been difficult for Ony to get professional experience as an engineer, but when the tsunami occurred Ony was eager to go and help where she could. “Working in the private sector I did It for money, but rebuilding schools with an NGO is work that I do with my heart”.

“The quality of our schools makes me very proud, on this poor island that has seen little development in the past, there are very few buildings built to the strict standards we have adhered to” Ony explains. Ony is an example of how out of the destruction and devastation new opportunities have arisen.

Top: Ony in front of one of the 65 schools being built in Simuelue Island

Bottom; the schools have been designed to withstand severe earthquakes in this seismically active area. Strong foundations, limited glass, light roofing structures and at least two doors are important safety structures. Water tanks are also included to allow the community to use the schools as safe meeting places in the event of another harsh earthquake.