Updated: March 2009
India
Overview | World Vision's history in Indonesia| World Vision in Indonesia today
OverviewLocated in Southeast Asia, the Republic of Indonesia is set on an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands that sit astride the equator. It is the principal link between the Indian and Pacific oceans. The largest islands are Sumatra, Java (the most populous), Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, the Nusa Tenggara islands, the Moluccas Islands, and Irian Jaya. Most of the islands are hot and humid throughout the year, though the highlands are more moderate. Indonesia has the largest number of active volcanoes in the world; the lava’s residual ash contributes to soil fertility and plant growth.Agriculture is crucial to the economy: more than 43 percent of people work in agriculture, but it represents just 12.4 percent of the total gross domestic product. Agriculture products include rice, cassava, peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra, poultry, beef, and pork. Indonesia has a variety of natural resources, including petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soil, coal, gold, and silver. In the early 20th century, the government reduced its dependence on income from oil and gas by encouraging investment in agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing. Unfortunately, progress has had an environmental impact as the country faces issues of deforestation and water and air pollution. The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century. From 1942 to the end of World War II, Japan occupied the country. Indonesia then declared its independence. However, before the Netherlands agreed to relinquish its colony, there were four years of negotiations, recurring hostilities, and United Nations mediation. Today Javanese, Sundanese, and Madurese represent majority ethnic groups. Bahasa Indonesia is the official language; English, Dutch, and local dialects also are spoken. |  |
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| For the past few years Indonesia has been transitioning to a democratic government following four decades of authoritarianism. Indonesia faces significant socioeconomic challenges. The government is currently addressing key issues such as alleviating widespread poverty, preventing terrorism, implementing reforms in the financial sector, reviewing incidents of alleged corruption, and holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations. In addition, issues surrounding sections of the East Timor-Indonesia boundary remain unresolved. Despite efforts to boost the economy, the rate of unemployment and underemployment is at nearly 10 percent; since the tsunami, approximately 30 percent of wage earners now work in different occupations. In addition, an estimated 17.8 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake centered off Sumatra’s west coast caused a powerful tsunami in the Indian Ocean that affected 12 countries. Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost. In Indonesia, 129,775 died; 38,786 were listed as missing (presumed dead); and more than 500,000 people were displaced. In recent years, Indonesia has suffered several additional disasters, including an industrial accident, a tsunami in South Java, an earthquake, and flooding in Jakarta. In early 2008, flooding and landslides left 130 people dead or missing in East and Central Java. More than 8,500 homes were damaged or destroyed. Back to top World Vision's history in IndonesiaWorld Vision began working with the people of Indonesia in 1957, when a pastors conference was held in Java. In 1961 a childcare program was opened to assist orphans and refugee children. By 1967, the program grew to assist some 2,000 children. Other activities included provision of medicine and food to combat malnutrition in the Minahasa area; food, clothing, and medical supplies to homeless survivors of the Bali volcanic eruption; and supplies to Immanuel Hospital in West Kalimantan to assist Chinese refugees.During the early 1970s, World Vision sponsored more than 8,000 children, and community development work was initiated. By decade’s end, some 12,000 children were sponsored. Projects offered education, health care, and agricultural development. Activities included the construction of a school for literacy programs and training to enhance the lives of 18,000 people in West Kalimantan. From 1981 to 1985, World Vision sponsorship programs helped 34,229 children. Projects provided education, health care, nutrition, and vocational training in sewing, carpentry, bicycle repair, and typing. Families received instruction in animal husbandry, livestock breeding, and fish farming. Local churches offered Bible correspondence courses and summer Bible camps. Efforts included the Senggo Community Development project, which established 25 health clinics benefiting 28,000 people. By 1990 World Vision’s sponsorship program had grown to assist 48,119 children in 313 projects. These projects provided education, immunization, nutrition, and skills training. In order to improve health care, village workers were trained to help in clinics. During the 1990s, natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, created great need. Clothing, food, medical supplies, and rehabilitation projects were provided. In the late 1990s, several crises occurred that undermined the multiethnic society: a severe economic crisis, the effects of El Niņo, ethnic tensions in East Timor and Ambon, and the transition in government. To address these issues, the following projects were implemented. The Indonesia Social Safety Net Project, in partnership with USAID and the World Food Program, addressed the needs of the urban poor by providing food, health education, food-for-work opportunities, schooling, and micro-entrepreneur training. The Indonesia Peacebuilding Initiative Project addressed the conflict between Christians and Muslims. World Vision promoted reconciliation by working with local religious and community leaders. The Transitional Activity Program addressed food insecurity by implementing a food aid program that helped 33,000 children and adults. Following the December 2004 tsunami, World Vision embarked on a three-year relief and rehabilitation effort that touched the lives of some 150,000 people. With more than 45 years of experience working in Indonesia and some 3,700 staff in the region, World Vision was able to provide immediate assistance to more than 35,000 survivors after the tsunami. Just hours after the devastation, World Vision deployed assessment teams and later distributed relief materials that included clothes, mats, household utensils, medicines, kerosene, blankets, food, and bottled water. In the hard-hit areas of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, World Vision worked to restore communities and rebuild lives. Following delivery of emergency supplies, work focused on improving health-care services by establishing a mobile health cline and health centers throughout the affected areas. Because of the overall infrastructural impact, it will take ongoing efforts to repair and rebuild utility, water, sanitation systems, homes, and economic livelihoods. Following the May 2006 earthquake on Java that killed some 5,000 and left 1 million homeless, World Vision distributed family kits and tarpaulins that benefited 40,000 people. Back to top World Vision in Indonesia todayWorld Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Indonesia to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. Currently, nearly 87,000 children are registered in the World Vision sponsorship program. Several times this number of children and other family members benefit from World Vision activities. Of these registered children, many have World Vision sponsors in other countries. U.S. donors sponsor 20,000 girls and boys. In addition, World Vision operates 30 development programs, six of which are supported by U.S. donors. Highlights of these efforts include the following:
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