Throwing Money at A Problem Is Not Always the Solution The Jakarta Globe, Friday, February 13, 2009
I’m sure the irony is not lost on all of your readers, re: the article entitled, “On Jakarta’s Mean Streets: Homeless Children Must Survive on Their Wits” (Globe, Feb. 10), juxtaposed with an ad for the movie, “Sepuluh: The Tragic Plight of Jakarta’s Street Kids.” It breaks my heart waiting at intersections every time those little faces look anxiously with pained, piercing eyes knowing that we are secure in our air-conditioned cars and can easily afford any amount of “loose change.” I resist the temptation, although my conscience kicks into high gear and a vivid imagination plays tapes in my head of each child’s plight. I opt not to “throw money,” a Western answer to all the trials and tribulations of the world. A decision that’s always exacerbated by comparison with my own grandchildren of the same age! Mercifully, the light changes to green and we move on to further security, a modern shopping mall or, on Sundays, church, where I continue my conversation with God, “How come?” Another vivid irony; didn’t the Samaritan stop to help; aren’t we charged with looking after the widows and orphans; what of loving thy neighbor? “No!” I continue to rationalize, the poor will always be with us! Even in my home country, Canada, one of the richest, there is poverty and children are exploited by unscrupulous adults who use them as pawns on the streets to massage the conscience of motorists. But, as in Canada, so too here in Indonesia, to stop the cycle of abuse each of us must do what is right, though it may be difficult to accept. If each of us discourages the children by not giving handouts, and thereby not satisfying our transitory conscience and perpetuating the plight of such poverty, eventually change will happen. Also, we need to insist that, as per the Constitution, 20 percent of national revenues be spent on education. I rest secure, I trust not with complacency, in the knowledge that all Canadian children receive free education. I take comfort in knowing my grandchildren are in school and not on the streets! Canada has made a conscious decision that education is a right for all children. Settle for nothing less, Indonesia. Twenty percent and free education for the country’s most precious resource, children. Don’t be tempted to ease your conscience temporarily by just “throwing money” at defenseless children. The cycle of abuse stops with each one of us, one at a time, one small step toward a giant quest. Hey, if this can be accomplished, perhaps next the police force and then on up through each strata of the government. David C. Bird Jakarta Sumber: THE JAKARTA GLOBE URL: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/letters/article/9636.html Kenapa BBM mesti naik? Apakah tidak ada solusi selain itu? Temukan jawabannya di Yahoo! Answers! http://id.answers.yahoo.com
