I was reading in the Jakarta Post today about the problems of poverty & low income housing in the city. Homes here are priced out by the square meter. $300-$400/sq meter (the low income rate) is too expensive for most families here. $500/sq meter is considered average.

Some quick conversion work for you to make the point:
500 sq feet = 46.5 sq m
So this 500 sq foot house goes for $13,950 (at $300/sq m) or $18,600 (at $400/sq m)

That’s beyond the means of the majority of Indonesians here.

Eli, her husband + 3 kids live in a “kos” (a rented room) the size of my kitchen.
It’s about 130 sq feet / 12 sq meters.

Their monthly rent is $35.
They should be able to buy a home the same size for $4,800 (at $400/sq m), but they can’t, and neither can the majority of their neighbors, because most of them live hand to mouth.
Saving is a luxury most of them don’t have; as is a bank account, let alone a credit card. I’m afraid most of them save their money in a jar or under the mattress.

What touched me the most today was seeing where they sleep. The 3 kids sleep on the 2 ½ inch thick “mattress” in the back; mom & dad sleep on the rolled-up foam pad, which goes on the floor in front of the TV at night. They can’t afford sheets.

I was touched by the Santa Claus bug that afternoon & got a few toys & Ramadan gifts for the family & gave mom & dad another holiday bonus.
I noticed earlier today that Eli’s son didn’t have any toys to play with when he comes over. I think all 3-5 year olds like matchbox cars. I did when I was wheeling around that close to the floor all day! (=