InfoAnda - Slum tours give hard dose of reality in Indonesia

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Scuffles in Moscow airports amid delays | 29 December 2010
Gates cautiously optimistic on Afghan war | | 17 September 2010
Bush says peace talks have yielded progress | 20 December 2008

Hollywood studios sue Hotfile over copyright | | 9 February 2011

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Slum tours give hard dose of reality in Indonesia

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Slum tours give hard dose of reality in Indonesia AFP - Sunday, July 5 JAKARTA (AFP) - - Gridlocked traffic, filthy rivers, air that tastes of diesel -- there is much that keeps Indonesia's capital Jakarta off the global tourist map. ADVERTISEMENT But for broke filmmaker Ronny Poluan, there is plenty of interest amid the squalor of a city of up to 12 million people, where nearly half the population lives in slums jammed between shopping malls and luxury homes. Poluan's "Jakarta Hidden Tours," running more or less regularly since 2008, take small paying groups of foreigners to the city's warrens, river banks and rail lines to meet those whom he calls "the real people". Wizened 53-year-old Sana is one of them. Standing near a shack built on the edge of the tracks, she tells a group of half a dozen Australians about the local slum dweller's weekly dance with the authorities. Friday to Sunday, Sana said, the rows of shacks that spread off into the horizon are home. But between Monday and Thursday, the authorities move in, dismantling the homes and sending locals to sleep in the open. "If we don't hurry they take our things," she said. It may not be pleasant to look at, but Poluan argues the tour is important for spreading understanding. And it is not the first of its kind. -- 'It creates more problems than it helps' -- "Poverty tourism," as it is often disparagingly known, is a growing trend from the favelas of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro to the Soweto township in South Africa's Johannesburg. Poluan said the Jakarta tours evolved independently out of informal introductions he had been giving to visiting foreign artists for more than a decade. He only recently found out about slum tours in other countries. "After I gave one of the tours somebody mentioned these other tours, so I Googled and found out about Mumbai, the favelas, Soweto. I don't know if this is the same or different," he said. Starting at 350,000 rupiah (34 dollars) a head for half a day, the tours are hardly cheap. And while Poluan says he takes around 50,000 rupiah for himself and a similar amount for his NGO, Interkultur, most goes to local people. But this cash-in-hand approach has plenty of critics. Wardah Hafidz, who heads Jakarta's Urban Poor Consortium advocacy group, says this is exactly the wrong approach. "It creates more problems for us than it helps," Hafidz said. "If you come with money then it's a complete language of money. It doesn't develop the understanding (among the poor) that they are powerful, that they can help themselves," she said. -- 'Worrying about the same things as us' -- Poluan, and many of his guests, are convinced they are doing good just by being there. Entering Jakarta's Galur slum, Poluan takes his tour group through deepening circles of privation. At the outer edge, tourists drink Fanta in the stifling heat of the home of Rumidja, a pint-sized, 69-year-old grandmother who lives cramped alongside 14 other people. She poses excitedly with the towering foreigners and complains of pains and lost sleep, and worries about how to pay for her granddaughter's education. She shows off photos of herself as a much fatter teenager. It is this contact with the everyday, rather than unmitigated suffering, that impresses Australian tour guest Martin Roach, a 39-year-old who makes his living in share trading and poker tournaments. "Many of the things she's worrying about are the same as us," he said. But moving deeper into the slum, head-high mounds of rubbish appear with increasing frequency and spill into creeks and canals running beneath the shacks. The tour group stops to peer into a series of cavernous rooms where slum dwellers make tofu by burning scrap wood under concrete vats. In one room, a barefoot man climbs on a sack of tofu, squeezing it with his body weight. In another, cracks in the roof shed light on soot so thick it hangs off the roof beams in furry tendrils metres (yards) long. By the time the group reaches the train tracks where Sana has her weekly conflict with the city, the mood darkens. Upset by what they see, some in the group kick off an impassioned debate with Poluan, arguing for the right to give money to anyone they come across in the slum. "You can pass the other stuff as okay, it's reduced from our lifestyle (but) they're happy. The people on the railway lines, that's not okay," Larry Stringer, 54, said. -- 'What you're seeing is poverty, not people' -- It may be unsettling at times, but coming face to face with the reality of poverty is an important step in getting rich Westerners to see the poor as equals, says Robert Finlayson, from Volunteering for International Development from Australia, who helps Poluan run the tours. "Guilt is like pity, it stops you from seeing people as they actually are, as normal human beings," Finlayson said. "What we wanted to do is say: 'What you're seeing is poverty, you're not actually seeing people. People are the same all over the world, whether they have a penis gourd on or a three-piece suit with a gold watch chain'." While putting money in the pockets of locals helps, the real benefit of the tour is as a "front" to get visitors, many of them working as diplomats or in international organisations, involved in creating development programmes in the community. One initiative already launched is a micro-credit scheme which has seen a handful of locals take out small loans of roughly 20 dollars. Down by the train tracks, the visits from outside are welcome. "We're lost, discarded people. Our lives are unsettled and ugly, like animals, moving from one place to another," said Samuel Yong Q, a 30-year-old rubbish scavenger. "(The tours) are good. At least they're paying attention." Around the corner, too, is a reminder that life goes on despite the privation. As the group walks by one of the Friday-to-Sunday shacks, a man lies along its entire length, facing a TV and a karaoke machine. Microphone in hand, he belts out a ballad as if nobody is watching. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Indonesia Fourteen dead after train hits bus in Indonesia: reportsAFP - Monday, July 6 Bodies found from Indonesian plane crash: reportAFP - Sunday, July 5 Slum tours give hard dose of reality in IndonesiaAFP - Sunday, July 5 Indonesia's election candidates hold last ralliesAFP - Sunday, July 5 Related Articles: Asia Pacific Suspected arson kills four in Japan: policeAFP - Monday, July 6 Indian guards kill man crossing from PakistanAP - Monday, July 6 Tamil rebel shoots dead Sri Lankan soldierAP - Monday, July 6 Bomb blast near south Philippine cathedral kills 5AP - Monday, July 6 UN chief's failure to meet Suu Kyi a 'great loss': NLD partyAFP - Monday, July 6 Enlarge Photo Slum tours give hard dose of reality in Indonesia Related Full Coverage Suharto Former Indonesian president All Full Coverage Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Jackson fans told to stay away as tickets up for grabs The daily grind: Sex for a week boosts sperm quality Schwarzenegger declares emergency in California Access to swine flu vaccine a 'critical question': WHO Questions mount over Jackson animal kingdom View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Sunday, 5 July 2009
Iraq declines offer of U.S. help with reconciliation
Two US soldiers, seven Afghan police die in blasts
Anti-G8 demonstrators clash with police in Italy | International |
Palestinian police arrest West Bank plotters | International |
At least 23 Somalis killed in latest clash | International |
Russia to grant U.S. Afghan supply route
Night of barbecue, fireworks on tap at White House
Chestnut wins NY hot dog eating match, again
UN chief outlines Myanmar vision in rare speech
Biden celebrates Independence Day with Saddam jibe
Obama's trip: 3 more countries, 1 broad mission
Pakistani airstrikes kill at least 12 militants
Budget battles keep states from tackling reforms
At least 9 killed in bus accident in eastern India
Obama, McCain give dueling holiday addresses
2 US troops die in attack on base in Afghanistan
Colleges focus on veterans as GI Bill ups numbers
Barak, Mitchell to meet again on settlements
Colin Powell cautions Obama on big government
At least 6 killed in bus accident in eastern India
NZealand reports first 3 swine flu-linked deaths
Indonesia's election candidates hold last rallies
Pakistani forces attack militants near crash site
More than 300,000 flee homes as south China floods
Thailand's swine flu death toll reaches seven
Saudi petrochemicals exporters slam China over dumping probe
Former Beatles, Stones manager Allen Klein dies | Entertainment |
Fans overlook Michael Jackson's dark side
Fans overlook Michael Jackson's dark side | Entertainment |
Recession adds to challenges for suburban arts
Michael Jackson book a headache for Jackie O | Entertainment |
Michael Jackson book a headache for Jackie O
"End of the Line" film rings alarm on fish supply
Jackson children 'don't know' mother: adviser
End of the Line film rings alarm on fish supply | Entertainment |
One Dead After Fireworks Truck Explodes In North Carolina
Statue Of Liberty's Crown To Re-Open July 4 For Public
Millions Of Fans Rush To Get Jackson's Memorial Service Tickets
Body Of Man Found In River Near Philadelphia; 11-Year-Old Boy Still Missing
Two U.S. Soldiers Killed In Eastern Afghanistan
North Korea Tests Seven Missiles Defying US Independence Day, UN Sanctions
US Marines in fierce battle during Afghan offensive
French arrest three key ETA suspects
OAS suspends Honduras over coup against Zelaya | International |
Biden spends July 4 with son, other troops in Iraq
Bolivia points to energy, rail nationalization
Hardline Iran editor calls for Mousavi to face trial
Militant ambush kills 10 Chechen police
North Korea may have shot mid-range missile | International |
Ex-Siemens executive seeks to avoid extradition to Greece: report
Russia calls on U.S. to compromise on missile defense | International |
GM considers options ahead of court ruling
Polish shipyard sale still pending: Qatari investment bank
Gunmen kidnap 16 Afghan U.N. demining workers | International |
Mexico ruling party to struggle at mid-term election | International |
Obama says U.S. a strong partner of Iraq despite pullout | International |
Vietnam northern floods kill 15, dozen missing | International |
Blast outside church in Philippine south kills 5 | International |
WITNESS: Battling to borrow money in sanctions-hit Sudan | International |
US celebrates Independence Day
1 dead, several hurt in Fla. lightning strike
Fireworks explosion on NC island kills 2, hurts 3
Beatings spark fears for Bangladesh's tigers
McCain says Palin to play leadership role as ex-Governor
Four dead, 34 wounded in Philippine church bombing
Zelaya says he's optimist, will return to Honduras
Palin links resignation to `higher calling'
Australian navy investigating sex bet allegations
Palin's replacement her polar opposite
Still a long way to go: Aussie cycling ace Evans
First Asian elephant born in Australian zoo
Thunderous Okla. applause greets Bush on July 4
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,322
Myanmar's frustrated generation looks abroad
Marines march in grueling Afghan sun on July 4
Oasis amidst war, Afghan valley looks to tourism
South Korea to raise $1.6 bln for green industries
Former Beatles, Stones manager Allen Klein dies | Entertainment |
Jackson death fuels business bonanza
1.6 million seek Jackson tickets: organizers
Bodies found from Indonesian plane crash: report
Harry Potter's nemesis revels in hard-edged new film
Beatles, Rolling Stones ex-manager Allen Klein dies
Madonna pays tribute to Michael Jackson in concert
Mega pan-African festival kicks off in Algeria
TV One to begin Sunday show aimed at blacks
Ex-Beatles, Rolling Stones manager Klein dies
US celebrates Independence Day
Networks to offer live Jackson memorial coverage
Iran to free eighth British embassy worker: Miliband
Yemenia jetliner's black box signal detected
Earn our trust or go, Afghan villagers tell Marines | International |
Khodorkovsky must confess for pardon: Medvedev
Mexican ruling party to struggle at mid-term vote | International |
Two British soldiers killed in Afghan assault
Recession could boost Bosnia micro-credit sector
Harry Potter's nemesis revels in hard-edged new film
Settlements, regional peace on Israel-U.S. agenda
Pakistani jets pound Taliban on Afghan border | International |
Pro-reform clerical body protests Iran elections
An Iranian clerical group says vote result invalid | International |
Chinese floods kill 15, displace 550,000 | International |
Crime and crisis focus of Bulgarian election | International |
Rioters battle with police in Hamburg | International |
Settlements, regional peace on Israel-U.S. agenda | International |
Spanish winemakers look to higher ground
Post publisher apologizes for paid dinner plan
Obama to begin overseas mission Sunday
Coast Guard plucks French kayaker from Bering Sea
Russia calls on U.S. to compromise on missile defence
Iraq not on 'bottom shelf': Biden
Taiwan benefits from China's economic stimulus
Chinese carmaker bids for GM's Opel: reports
Late monsoon brings fears of food shortages in Nepal
Taliban cash in on Pakistan's untapped gem wealth
India looks to cut out middlemen on gold
China won't press for new global currency at G8
Hong Kong, Taiwan fans mourn Michael Jackson
Omg! Positive tone boosts Yahoo celeb site to top
Fourteen dead after train hits bus in Indonesia: reports
Jackson fans prepare farewell to 'King of Pop'
Jackson memorial gets 1.6 million ticket requests
Slum tours give hard dose of reality in Indonesia
Spanish winemakers look to higher ground
Sarkozy pries open France's door to Sunday shopping
Tourism, religion threaten Ethiopia's tribal warriors
After 'King of Pop,' an empty throne
Fake Tamiflu Spammed Online More Than Counterfeit Viagra
Tooth Implanted In Eye Makes Blind Man See Again
Colorado Firm Offers Eco-Friendly Burial Thru Biodegradable Caskets
North Korea Airs First Beer Commercial
Contest Offers $1 Million In Prizes To Fastest Keyboard Typists
PETA Wants Rights To Michael Jackson Song To Help Save Lab Rats
World's Biggest Communications Satellite Launched From French Guiana
Microsoft's Bing Gains On Google, But MJ's Death Reveals Its Weaknesses
Johnny Depp Can't Bear To Look At Himself In The Mirror
Ryan Reynolds Wore Cellophane Underwear In His Latest Film "The Proposal"
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01