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Daily new COVID-19 cases have been declining in Indonesia since January, but the rate was still nearly 5250 per day on 6th April. The country had administered enough doses to fully vaccinate about 2.3% of the population by that date. Vaccination is mandatory. Local governments can impose fines and stop social assistance payments to those who refuse. Mask wearing and social distancing are also mandatory, and large gatherings and travel are limited. The pandemic has taken a huge economic and emotional toll on Indonesian. According to the Indonesian Child Protection Commission, 42% of mothers and 32% of fathers said they have committed physical violence on their children in the past year.
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Thank you for praying for children and families in Indonesia who have been impacted by COVID-19—and the local staff and churches who continue to serve them in difficult circumstances.
Since he was a young boy, Toni had one dream: to be an entrepreneur with his own chicken farm. He never imagined he would achieve his dream at 19 years old amidst a global pandemic. As COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on Indonesia’s economy, daily workers like Toni’s parents have been among the hardest hit. Read more open_in_new
The situation
The impact of the Seroja Cyclone on 4 April caused major damage in the Timor Islands due to heavy rain, strong winds and flooding.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 64 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 4323
New information
Local staff continue to assess the impact to children and families. Relief support is being provided to the affected church partners, children and their families, such as the provision of food, soap, medicine, clothes, blankets and home repair materials. Some children have now been able to return to their homes.
Prayer
Please pray for the recovery efforts in the East Nusa Tenggara area.
The situation
On Saturday, 10th April an earthquake of 6.1 on the Richter scale impacted Tambakrejo-Tamban Kabupaten Malang, Easy Java. Many homes and toilets were damaged. Some affected families are still living temporarily with friends or relatives while their homes are repaired.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 63
New information
The children and families affected by the earthquake are safe and well, and are receiving the support they need at this time.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the affected children and their families.
The situation
Strong winds on 14th April in Deli Serdang, Medan, North Sumatera have caused damage to some of the buildings at one of our Indonesian church partners - IO0103. The winds have now ceased.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 1 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 0
New information
The computer laboratory, indoor games room and office at IO0103 have been damaged. Local staff have received the necessary funding to make repairs to affected buildings.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the church partner and their efforts to repair their building.
The situation
On Saturday, 10th April an earthquake of 6.1 on the Richter scale impacted Tambakrejo-Tamban Kabupaten Malang, Easy Java. There was another earthquake as a result on 11 April. Many homes and toilets were damaged.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 63
New information
Some affected families are living in neighbour’s homes or in tents, due to significant damage to their own homes. Local staff are assisting with repair and recovery efforts and are providing affected families with food and household items.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety and provision of the children, families, and church partners in this area following the earthquakes.
Please note: Due to the current pandemic, many child development centres in Indonesia are temporarily closed. Our local church partners continue to meet the urgent needs of the children through home-based care.
Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.
Compassion assisted children in Indonesia typically attend program activities at their local child development centre on Saturdays and Sundays. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Indonesia.
8:00am - A time of prayer and devotion.
9:00am - Spiritual lessons where children sing songs and learn Bible stories. They are given complete Bibles once they enter middle school.
10:30am - Break time where children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.
11:00am - Social-emotional lessons from conflict resolution to developing healthy self-esteem. Children often come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.
12:00pm - Lunch time where the meal usually consists of rice, meat, vegetables and fruit. Milk is provided for young children. Typical Indonesian foods that are rich with protein such as ‘Tempe’ and tofu are often provided. Children are given meals once or twice a week.
1:00pm - Health lessons where children are taught practical health and hygiene tips.
2:00pm - Letter writing and career planning. Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests, setting realistic goals for their future.
Children also often have opportunities to join in extracurricular activities such as sporting activities, painting, singing, computer training and English courses. Older students receive practical skills training in areas like car repair and sewing. Every year parents are offered parenting classes.
of people live below the poverty line
mothers die from pregnancy related causes per 100,000 births
of people lack access to improved sanitation
Indonesia is the fourth-most populous country in the world, and its urban growth rate is enormously high. Infrastructure and resources are under constant pressure, with the conservation of Indonesia’s forests and peat lands a particular struggle.
Many of Indonesia’s more than 17,000 islands are at high risk of earthquake and volcanic eruption. Hundreds of thousands of families have been displaced and severely affected by natural disasters in recent years. Unfortunately, the number of children living on the streets has dramatically increased as a result, and many of these children suffer abuse through exploitation and child trafficking.
While poverty and low living standards persist throughout Indonesia, particularly in rural areas, there has been progress in the past decade.
Indonesia elected the Governor of Jakarta, Joko Widodo, as President in 2014 after decades of military and autocratic rule. Mr Widodo, a former furniture maker known as an advocate for the poor, ran on a platform of reform, promising to eliminate corruption and modernise the nation.
Despite its growth as an emerging economy, Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most unequal nation, with its population’s richest one per cent controlling 49.3 per cent of its total wealth. President Widodo announced a new focus on addressing economic inequality in 2017, and the outcomes of that shift will be hugely important for the millions of Indonesians who still live in poverty.
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It’s a day full of excitement and happy chaos—the registration day at a new Compassion centre. Here’s a behind the scenes look at what happens when children are registered into Compassion’s program for the first time. .. Read more
The machinery of modern life has jammed under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet in many parts of the developing world, the virus is only beginning to take hold. So just how badly will the world's most vulnerable children and their families be affected?.. Read more
As children, birthday parties are memorable occasions! But when families barely have enough to support basic needs, birthday celebrations are often a luxury they can’t afford. .. Read more