Helping victims of earthquakes and tsunamis

Ambon

On 26th September 2019, a strong magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Maluku, Indonesia, near the provincial capital of Ambon. A total of 41 people were killed by the quake and another 1,578 people were injured. More than 6,000 structures were damaged or destroyed throughout Maluku. People have been living in tents or shacks since the earthquake; the onset of the rainy season added to their difficulties due to leaking structures and the threat of flooding. BEATS sent 4 grants during 2020 for essential supplies (see details below). However, there is still need for permanent houses to replace those damaged and destroyed.

BEATS have been helping in 4 ways:

1. Initial Aid – See details at the bottom of this page

2. Child Sponsorship - see our Sponsor a Child page for information on children and students

3. Loans to start new businesses/micro enterprise – see photos below

4. House Rebuilding

House Rebuilding

November 2023

Following the destructive earthquake in Ambon in September 2019, BEATS has been providing funds for the rebuilding damaged or destroyed houses. Pak Ade and Ibu Ida's house is the 12th rebuilt by BEATS, they are very happy because it not has a living room and bedroom but also a kitchen, bathroom and electricity.

To contribute to these projects, use the details given via the Donate Now button and email us at enquiries@beatscharity.co.uk to specify your donation is to be used for Ambon housing; Thank you.

September 2023

Here are the before and after photos of the 11th house that BEATS has reconstructed, Pak Mainase and his family are very grateful.

House 10

Pak Stenly lives in Halong village with his mother and his 3 school age children. The earthquake badly damaged his house and made it unstable (photo left), so he had to try and prop it up with logs to stop it collapsing. The roof was also very badly damaged and leaked profusely which meant that it was often flooding during the rainy season. He had to ask a neighbour to allow his children to sleep at their house while he slept on the dining table.

He and his mother are very grateful to BEATS for their new house (photo right).

House 9

78 year old Pak Martin's house had been destroyed, and he was living in a very small shack close to his son's house (they had insufficient room to accommodate him). BEATS provided funds for a small one room house where he could sleep, which was completed early in June. About a week later, Pak Martin went to his house to rest one afternoon, and died in his sleep. His daughter-in-law found him about an hour later. Pak Martin was so happy to receive his house, and it is wonderful to know he died contented.

Mr. Martin's house is now used mainly for prayer. Sometimes it is loaned out to people from other areas who are less well off who have business in Ambon, but it is used more as a place of prayer.

Houses 7 and 8

The roof of house 7 was damaged by the earthquake and the following monsoon rains. BEATS provided funds for the repair (see photos left) in April 2023. The woman in the photo, who lives here, takes care of 2 nephews and a niece whose father has died.

2 walls of house 8 were destroyed; the family had only a tarpaulin to replace them. BEATS supplied funds to rebuild the walls in April 2023 (see photos right).

House 6

When Sarah Page visited Indonesia in Jan/Feb, her WhatsApp prayer group raised enough funds to, not only build this house, but also pay for the repairs for houses 7 and 8. This family of 5 expressed their gratitude to BEATS and supporters for their new home (right), completed in April 2023.

House 5

Pak Idris, Ibu Rodiah and their daughter Irma were living in the shack shown on the left. BEATS provided funding for the new house (photo right) which was completed on the 24th Jan 2023

BEATS already have the funding for a 6th house and some of the money required to build a 7th house. To contribute to these projects, use the details given in the Donate Now button and email us at enquiries@beatscharity.co.uk to specify your donation is to be used for Ambon housing; Thank you.

House 4

BEATS had already supplied funding for tarpaulins and plywood for the temporary shelter seen here (photo left). Ibu Selvi and her children are seen standing in front of their new house in the photo (right), which was completed 4th July 2022.

House 3

Ibu Siti and her grandson Farel are seen outside their old house (photo left); the new house was completed on 6th January 2022. Farel's mother works on another island. Sarah Page (BEATS Chair) visited on the 28th January 2023 as you can see in the photo (right). Ibu Siti has opened a small shop outside her house.

Farel is already sponsored via BEATS to assist with his education; there are many more Ambon children who would benefit from this support, see our Sponsor a Child Page

House 2

Ibu Yoke has been living in a temporary shack with her 4 children (photo left); thanks to BEATS funding her new house is now completed (photo right taken 3/12/2021). They moved in on the 16th December 2021; the following day the shack they had been living in was destroyed during a storm!

House 1

Mr and Mrs Saiya were chosen to be the first to receive our help. Sadly Mrs Saiya died before the new house was finished, she was living with their son and 2 grandchildren in a makeshift tent (Photo – Topmost Left). Mr Saiya works as a cleaner. The photos left and right show the destroyed house, and the replacement which was finished in September 2021.

Business Micro Loans

BEATS has provided GBI Bethel Church, Ambon with a sum of money that can be loaned out to people to enable them to start a business. As and when the money is repaid it is then lent out to others so that, in time, a whole community can benefit from the dignity of being able to provide for themselves and for their family.

Initial Aid

6th Grant distributed August 2021

Essential supplies were distributed in the predominantly Muslim communities of Tengah-Tengah and Tial.

The Christian pastor delivering the supplies told the villagers that BEATS love and concern extends to people of all races, ethnicities and religions. The village government representative expressed his gratitude for the aid supplied to these communities, who are living in shacks and refugee tents.

5th Grant distributed May – June 2020 Lock-down restrictions prevented many from earning income; the Indonesian government put restrictions in place regarding movement of people but our contacts Pastors Jan and John were allowed to visit to deliver essential supplies. They have distributed food parcels, tarpaulins, plywood and small amounts of cash for essential supplies. Pak John reported: “I write this message with tears in my eyes because I was very moved to witness how God's help is on time and that He sees their distress. They are very happy when we give them sembako (basic supplies); they all really enjoy receiving groceries, tarps and the plywood you give.”

Grateful for food

Electricity installed

Grateful for electricity supply

Thankful Widower

Ambon: 1st grant for Covid/Earthquake victims distributed 15th to 18th May 2020.

Left: Pak John said: “Mrs Americo was praying to God with her child to be given food. After the prayer was finished I shouted 'Shalom' and said we came to provide food to them. They smiled while saying the Lord Jesus was miraculous. Their house was totally destroyed. Her husband hurts in the knees and legs.”

Right: This couple live in a small hut, they have no children. They worked feeding their neighbour's pigs. Pak John gave them food and talked to them about Jesus.

Left: This is Yoke; her husband died 2 years ago. She has four children who are still at school. Their house was totally destroyed and they are now living in a refugee tent. She sells fried bananas to earn a living.

Right:This is Ibu Lani; her husband is a unskilled labourer. They have 11 children and are currently living in a refugee tent. She was happy to be given the tarpaulin because she could not afford to buy any.

Left: One of the displaced people carrying plywood supplied to help him repair his temporary accommodation.

Right: This is Mohamad; he earns a living by scavenging for used plastic items. His house caught fire last month and he now lives with his grandchildren in a boarding house. He was scavenging for food, so Pak John gave money to him.