The adage that "Time heals" is probably true in most situations but what if your village was struck by a tsunami?

For some, the tragedy on Dec 26 last year which wiped out several villages on the northen coast still haunts them today.

Sixteen-year old Syafika binti Ismail (left in picture) is one of them. Her village in Langkawi was devastated by the killer tsunami which killed over 270,000 in the South Asian region.

"Just three weeks ago, I had horrible nightmares about the tsunami hitting my village again," she said.

Similar tales were shared by 39 teenagers from Langkawi and Kuala Muda, Kedah during a six-day long camp held in Sepang, which concluded yesterday.

Jointly organised by United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the camp was aimed at helping the teenagers overcome the traumatic experience of the tsunami.

The camp was intended to provide a sense of safety for these children and create a positive environment as they are still suffering from post-traumatic stress, said Yunus Ali who is director of Pusat Janadaya, a NGO engaged by Unicef and Unfpa to conduct the camp.

Self esteem

During the camp, every morning begins with 'art therapy' sessions while the nights are filled with poems and songs, where participants were encouraged to express their feelings creatively.

The camp also included various character building activities and talks to re-shape the teenagers' self confidence and leadership abilities.

"When we received these kids, we regarded them as normal people. If we say that they needed treatment, they would feel negative," said Yunus, adding that the process helps the teenagers overcome their past.

Unfpa representative Yeoh Yeok Kim (left), said that through several workshops and focus groups conducted with people from tsunami struck areas, it was found that many of them were still severely traumatised by the incident.

"Besides psychological trauma, it was found that many of them had their minds closed. Some had just no opportunity to learn about the outside world. Our experts believed that they need to come out and share their experiences," she said.

And share they did. Some broke down in tears when they recounted their losses of life, property and livelihood during the camp.

Yeoh added that the camp was to give the teenagers skills and knowledge to get on with life.

One Pusat Janadaya volunteer notes that she saw remarkable changes in the attitudes of the teenagers throughout the six days at the camp.

By the end of the camp, the teens left for home, where they will begin to pick up the pieces of their lives with a newfound wave of enthusiasm and hope.