On Saturday, 20 April 2013, a Social Economic Profiling program was held at Rusun Marunda, North Jakarta. More than 200 people participated at the event, helping both YCAB Foundation and Pemprov DKI (DKI Jakarta government) to collect data from relocated flood-victims. Here are some reflections from the volunteers.
“Meeting the families and getting to know the women and children more intimately (through the survey) confirmed my belief that as Indonesians we are resilient and eternally optimistic against any conditions. It’s not easy to do logistics in Jakarta and the YCAB team managed the event flawlessly. I’m very excited to hear the outcomes from the analysis and for BCG to continue supporting YCAB any way that we can.”
Karina Akib, The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
“At the event, I took part as a floor coordinator, the one who had to accompany volunteers and guide them to meet the Rusun Marunda’s residents. At first, I thought it was boring – just waiting for the volunteers to finish their activities in interviewing people. Then I looked around and took a peek to the room of the Rusun’s resident. I observed more closely at their children, their activities, and even their households. Yes, I saw another side of life.
“By having conversation with the people in the neighborhood, I know why they were there. I learn about their patience in facing every problem such as health, economy, and education. I also learn how to face a complex diversity in the environment, where a lot of people from every ethnic group in Indonesia have their own character and personality. And the last lesson that I learn is about listening. They are happy when they can share their stories with us, giving each other motivation to live their lives.”
Wayan Linggawa, YCAB Foundation IS Development
“I am embarrassed to say I don’t remember the name of this determined 10 year old girl, so I will call her Rina. I do remember Rina’s face of pride when her mom brought out the school certificates naming her top of her class three times in a row, and how she said, without hesitation, that she wanted to be a doctor. I also remember how her mom’s voice became somber and sad when she described Rina’s new school, the one she had been assigned to after the floods, was not good enough for her promising daughter. It was a brutal testimony of how disasters, like the Jakarta floods, not only rob people of their possessions, displaces them from their home, work and mosque, but also challenges their hopes and dreams. For Rina and her mom, in the floods they lost not only their home and neighborhood, but also their trusted and loved teacher and school. As a parent of two girls, one of them the same age as Rina, I cannot imagine how powerless and frustrated Rina’s mom must feel these days.
“I volunteered to participate in YCAB’s data gathering exercise in Marunda because I knew Veronica’s passion to make a difference, and because I thought I would learn something about Indonesia along the way. It was as simple as going into the homes of 5 displaced families to understand their needs, and fill a questionnaire. But I found much more than understanding of a culture and of the economic realities of the poor… I was given new lessons about what is truly important. I was reminded that a home without a future is a failed promise, and that people in situations of extreme poverty need, above all, to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be given a new opportunity. Rina was doing everything in her power as a 10 year old child to overcome her modest upbringing and become one more story of success in this thriving Indonesia… and then the floods came and set her back. Supporting YCAB’s mission and work on education and economic empowerment is the least we can do to give her, and the many Rinas in Marunda, the new hope and opportunity they deserve.”
Martin Gil, Coca Cola General Manager, Indonesia & PNG
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