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TentSchools

Tent SchoolsIn the days after the earthquake, groups likeUNICEF, Save the Children, and Plan Internationalhelped schools that were damaged or destroyed setup tents so their students had somewhere to go forclasses. They also set up tent schools near camps forpeople who had lost their homes. When it rained,the tent schools ooded and children had to gohome. But on good days, the schools were full.

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A Little LaughterKnowing that the kids were dealing with a lot ofstrong emotions, teachers wanted to make sure the

tent schools were a fun and safe place. Besides havingstandard classes like reading, math, and French,they played games and sang songs. Teachers also

encouraged students totalk about their feelingsso that they could starthealing.W

hat if you woke up one morning and foundthat the world around you was completely

different? That your house, your neighborhood,your family, and your friends were all gone?

Thats what thousands of kids in Haiti faced onJanuary 12, 2010, when a powerful earthquake tooktheir world and turned it upside down. The severeearthquake collapsed buildings as if they were madeof cards. Streets disappeared under rubble. By theend of that day, more than 200,000 people had died.Life on the island slammed to a halt.

Some Sense of NormalAbout half of the schools in and around the capitalcity, Port-au-Prince, were damaged or destroyed inthe earthquake. Going to school, seeing friends, andhaving a routine is really important for kids after adisaster. It makes life feel closer to normal for a fewhours a day.

But how do you get kids back to school when theworld around them is in chaos? When you cant eventhink about rebuilding until tons of debris have beencleared? You set up a temporary school, and you doit as fast as possible.

Port-au-Prince,Haiti

Fact:More than 1,400schools were destroyed inthe earthquake in Haiti.

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