In May 2006, an earthquake struck, ripping through Java killing 6,500 people and destroying homes and buildings, consequently affecting over one million people. The village of Bayat was one of the casualties of this disaster. With the beginning of the school year approaching, ROTA and its partners moved quickly to rebuild the kindergarten, primary and secondary school, while also providing make-shift structures for the interim period. The completed schools, build to earthquake resistant specifications, benefits over 1,000 students and also includes a hall for recreation activities, sporting grounds, and a library/community learning center, which won first prize as best library in the Klaten region.  

Enhancing knowledge in disaster risk reduction (DRR); Build capacity of teachers and students to improve teaching-learning environment and school governance; designing and promoting safe school standards through disaster prevention and mitigation initiatives; advocating for policy and governance reform in securing resources, budget monitoring, and safe school standards; enabling students from disadvantaged groups  with the opportunity to continue their secondary education through scholarships

This project focused on ensuring the continuation of education by the affected children by constructing and rehabilitating schools, building capacity for teachers and Parent Teacher Councils (PTC), and using sports and activities to build leadership skills in the children.

Cambodia, a culturally-rich and diverse country in southeastern Asia, is still recovering from the repercussions of the 20 years of Khmer Rouge rule, a dark time in the country’s history that all but drained Cambodia’s cultural heritage.  Along with its partners, ROTA focused on cultural and educational development programs to help rebuild the country’s heritage, and give children hope for their futures.