Transforming Sanem’s Indonesian Village

Sanem was from the Indonesian village of Simpur. Eighty percent of the six grader’s neighbors had less than a sixth grade education. She lived in a place where the cycle of poverty, poor education, a high divorce rate and early death was common for generations. With no hope for a future outside of the village, it was normal to get married as early as 12 or 13. But a transformation would occur that would bring about renewed hope for Sanem and her village.

OB Indonesia has been working to change lives in Indonesia for four years. For the village of Simpur, they utilized the Bless-a-Child, Mobile Health Clinic and Community Garden programs, beginning with education. Sanem was one of the hundreds of impoverished girls and boys that received school uniforms, shoes, a book bag, books and all of her school fees!

In Sanem’s elementary school, OB Indonesia continued transforming her community by holding a free health screening. Over 450 children from two villages came and saw an optometrist, dentist and doctor. The volunteer team recorded sad statistics. An astounding 73% of the children were malnourished; 73% suffered from disease in the mouth and teeth; and 43% had poor vision.

Since the majority of children suffered from malnutrition, OB Indonesia began helping several families plant vegetable gardens. After we provided them with seed, fertilizer and water buckets the families prepared the soil and built a bamboo fence to protect their gardens from chickens and goats. In addition, families were given a regular source of protein as well as pets. Each household was gifted five chickens so that parents could add eggs to their children’s diets.

Partners, thank you for making a difference in the lives of these children and for being a part of the answer in breaking the cycle of poverty in Indonesia! Our humanitarian work in Indonesia continues to offer hope to thousands of poor, hurting and sick individuals every year.

Please send a generous gift today!