It's not a subject we like to talk about or to take pictures of, but poverty cannot be overlooked in Jakarta. Even in the finest neighborhoods poverty cannot be hidden. For instance, one of the photos on the web page sited below contrasts the wealth of a twin towers complex with the squalor that surrounds it.
When I travel from the classroom to my apartment, I'm assaulted with children of all ages who are begging. Mothers with infants beg on the bridges and intersections of the city. Sometimes I long to be one of those rich folks who could sit in the back seat of my limo, reading the evening paper on the way home from work, so I wouldn't have to see the poverty around me. Many of the wealthy build tall solid fences around their houses. They have a beautiful view of their gardens within the fence and don't have to see the poverty that lies just beyond. But, alas, I have to deal with the beggars. I cannot ignore them. I'm sure some of them are just con artists; but, I'm equally sure that many are in genuine need. How to tell the difference? How to know whom to help and whom not to?
The situation isn't going to get much better according to those who study these things. Check out the web site below to see a report of future predictions for urban squatters:
The page below also says "For many Indonesians, the future remains pretty bleak."
We have a few photos of our own which you can find on my Picasa Web Album below:
When we help people who are really in need, we are serving Jesus himself.
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