|
Focus on
Indonesia
Women in Indonesia, says Susi, Project Hannah's coordinator
for Indonesia, are grouped into three classes: upper, middle,
and lower. Those in the upper class usually have had higher
education and have a good job, but all that is often at the
expense of their family. Feeling neglected, husbands may turn
to other women, and children may become involved in crime or
drugs. Women in the middle group, the largest of the three,
predominantly live in sprawling urban centers. Most of these
are laborers and need to work in order to survive. There's a
good chance they've lost their job due to the latest economic
crisis. Many have been forced to go to another country and work
as maids. Women in the lower class are illiterate, poor, and
live in villages or remote areas. They beg for food, and their
children will never have the opportunity to attend school. They
will probably never move out of their class.
"Today, many Indonesian women are surrounded by walls of
hopelessness, darkness, fear, poverty, and illiteracy,"
says Susi. She adds that many lost their husbands and families
during the ethnic uprisings in parts of Indonesia. "Young
widows became prostitutes, and many young women aborted their
babies because they did not want them," Susi explains.
"The economic and political crisis caused much suffering
to women and children. They have to work hard just to get a
bowl of rice."
"Indonesian women need Someone who can offer them comfort
and hope. As they hear Women of Hope programs, they
discover that Jesus Christ is that One," says Susi. "They
also learn information on nutrition, health, friendship, marriage,
and child-rearing, all of which can help them in their daily
lives." |
|
|
