Written by Dara Ayu Ariane, Content Writer Intern at Project Child Indonesia
Yogyakarta is known for its mix of vast traditional cultures with modern touches brought by the young university students that mostly fill up its city center. What happens when a pandemic hits the city and suddenly all of its visitors have cancelled their trips? In early March 2020, President Joko Widodo announced the first cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia and there was an increase in the cancellation rates from 15 to 20% (The Jakarta Post, 2020). Tourism is one of Yogyakarta’s most bustling industries, especially with its traditional cultural and historical sites making tourists love visiting the region on weekends and holidays. The impact of the pandemic is detrimental to the city. With 14.000 formal workers and 474 informal workers laid off, families are now struggling to not only put food on the table but also in keeping track with their children’s studies (Nurhadi, 2020).
Zero Discrimination Day
In commemoration of Zero Discrimination Day, UNAIDS Asia Pacific has launched a campaign with the theme of #EndInequalities to raise awareness about the inequalities that prevent people from living a full and productive life, especially during these dire times. The persisting economic gap and digital divide further highlight inequalities in Yogyakarta as an urgent issue we should all look into.
A key part to this year’s Zero Discrimination Day campaign lies in its three reflection questions:
- What does ending inequalities and/or ending discrimination means to you?
- There are many forms of inequality. Which issues affect you the most and why?
- What can be done to end inequalities?
When we reflect on our own situation towards the third question, we often think that in order to make a huge impact, we should all go help out physically in the field and meet the people of these communities. But as the world moves onto digital platforms, it almost feels like our work and assignments are constantly haunting us whenever and wherever we are.
A Helping Hand
Before we go sulking in a corner, here comes Project Child Indonesia; a community based NGO that believes in the notion of “everyone can do good”! They have made it their goal to provide a positive impact on society, especially for children through sustainable programs. Luckily for us, their fundraising platform on Kitabisa.com is back online! We are now able to donate towards several causes under Project Child, such as Online Learning Assistance for children in Sekolah Sungai, Drinking Water Program, and COVID-19 health assistance for 3 riverbank communities in the heart of Yogyakarta City.
What a great way to offer a helping hand for those in need! Don’t be discouraged if the amount we donate may be considered small, because once all the donations add up, the people that are within the programs’ vicinity will surely be grateful to each and every one of us for trying to help them.
Have other ideas to help Project Child Indonesia’s programs? Head onto the Contact page of our website to get in touch with the team! You can organize your own fundraising event to further contribute in alleviating inequalities within the communities in the Yogyakarta area.
References:
Nurhadi, M. (2020, April 6). 14,529 pekerja DIY kena PHK dan dirumahkan akibat wabah corona. SuaraJogja. Retrieved from https://jogja.suara.com/read/2020/04/06/140000/14529-pekerja-diy-kena-phk-dan-dirumahkan-akibat-wabah-corona
The Jakarta Post. (2020, March 31). Yogyakarta empty of tourists as covid-19 takes toll. Retrieved from https://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2020/03/31/yogyakarta-empty-of-tourists-as-covid-19-takes-toll.html
