Indonesia Pics

While traveling through Asia, I read up on the countries in Asia and decided that Indonesia was were I wanted to live and work. I arrived in Jakarta in June 2001 and found work with UNICEF. Since then, I have traveled throughout the country, managing a programme aimed at improving the health of women and children.

Indonesia is a fascinating country, 1600 islands spread out over a huge expanse of ocean. The politics here are mind boggling - corruption is rampant, some people live like royalty while others live with almost nothing and personal promotion and preservation overrule the needs of the people.

However, the Indonesian people are wonderful, diverse and beautiful. The people I have met and work with are concerned about their families, the people around them and bettering the country as a whole. Although things seem dismal at times, the potential is here - both in natural and human resources - and I hope soon, this potential can be met.

Living here has taught me a lot. I have learned the official national language, Bahasa Indonesia - there are about 300 other languages - which allows me to have wonderful conversations and to better understand the country and its people.

With the various events that have taken place over the last couple of years, Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, has been a great place to live. To see these events through their eyes and the affect on their daily lives, has opened my mind in many ways. I fear far too few people in power respect diversity and accept different points of view. Let's hope this changes soon, for the benefit of us all...

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