Where We Work
Bambu Apus is a small village located in a Pamulang, a suburb in South Tangerang. Located 1 hour drive away from South Jakarta, Pamulang is populated by families from middle to upper economy class. Many of them work in Jakarta and have to commute back and forth every day. Therefore, it is very common for the people in Pamulang to own more than one car.
However, behind the fancy houses in the neighbourhood, there is a "hidden" village populated by families with lower class of economy. Many of them cannot afford their own houses or even cars. They usually work as domestic helpers, maids, garbage collector or rickshaw drivers. Some of them rent small brick houses and try to fit the entire family in there. Some of the less fortunate one live in wood or cardboard houses, where there is only one room for everyone with no windows.
The population in Bambu Apus grows rapidly each year because many of the villagers get married when they are very young. It is normal to see 16 or 17 years old girls walking around the neighbourhood with big bellies, pregnant with their first or even second child.
Increasing population leads to increasing demand for a better economy but to get that the people need to work more. Because of this, many parents asked their children to work and quit school. They believe that not only working earns more money that will help the family, but also unfortunately, school tuition is considered to be expensive. If one child goes to school, his brother or sister will also ask for that, and the parents will not have enough money.
When As Sakinah first came to Bambu Apus, many parents hesitated to send their children to study with us. However now, they understand that education is important. They want their children to be more successful than they are, and hopefully in the future and can break them out from the poverty cycle.
