Indonesia

Shortly after the devastating tsunami of December 2004, Nate York and Alaskan businessman Karl Pasch traveled to the island of Western Sumatra. Arriving in the remote coastal city of Meulaboh in January, they found the urban area devastated; it had lost over 40,000 residents, and most of the buildings had been destroyed. While many of the immediate needs of local victims had been met by larger aid organizations, the long and difficult work of restoring the local economy had barely begun. Through loans and grants to individuals, 15 small businesses were launched, giving immediate employment to over 50 people.

With funding from the Byrne Family Foundation, Solace began construction of schools in Meulaboh and Bande Ache. In 2006, Solace began building two more schools, in Blan Tenghoh and Prisiapan. To date, over 1,000 Indonesian students attend classes in schools built by Solace.