Dewi and Putri: How Inequality Separates Two Girls from Indonesia

Summary

The script narrates the divergent lives of two Indonesian girls, Dei and Puri, highlighting the stark impact of economic inequality. Dei, born into wealth, enjoys access to healthcare, education, and a nurturing environment, leading to a prosperous future. In contrast, Puri, from a poverty-stricken background, faces numerous hardships, from inadequate prenatal care to lack of sanitation and education, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. The narrative emphasizes the potential transformation in individuals and communities if equal opportunities, such as healthcare, sanitation, and education, were provided to all.

Takeaways

• 💰 Dei's family is in the top 10% of Indonesian households in terms of income, while Puri's family is in the bottom 10%, reflecting significant wealth inequality.
• 🤰 Puri's mother did not receive proper prenatal care or nutrition, leading to Puri being born underweight, whereas Dei's mother had regular check-ups and proper nutrition.
• 👶 In the first two years, Puri did not receive full vaccinations and lacked proper nutrition, further widening the health gap between her and Dei.
• 🏠 Dei grew up in a home with clean running water and a toilet, unlike Puri whose family couldn't afford a toilet, leading to health issues like frequent diarrhea.
• 📚 Dei had access to early childhood education, giving her a head start in learning, while Puri did not have this opportunity.
• 🎓 Dei completed high school and went on to university, but Puri had to drop out after grade six due to financial constraints.
• 🏢 After education, Dei found a job with good pay and benefits, while Puri had to settle for less secure, low-paying work in the informal sector.
• 🔄 The lack of a good job for Puri means she can't afford healthcare or ensure her children's education, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and inequality.
• 🌐 The script highlights that Puri's situation is not unique to the bottom 10%, as 68 million Indonesians in the bottom 40% are also at risk of falling into poverty.
• 🛑 Small setbacks like a bad harvest, job loss, or illness can push the bottom 40% of Indonesians into poverty, indicating their vulnerability.
• 🔑 The script suggests that providing equal opportunities for prenatal care, vaccinations, sanitation, and education could break the cycle of poverty and change communities.

Q & A

What is the economic background of Dei's family?

Dei's family is wealthy, belonging to the top 10% of households in Indonesia in terms of income.

How does Puri's family's financial situation compare to Dei's?

Puri's family is much less fortunate, being in the bottom 10% of households and part of the 28 million people living below the poverty line in Indonesia.

What impact did the lack of prenatal care and nutrition have on Puri's health at birth?

Due to the lack of prenatal care and nutrition, Puri was born underweight, which affected her health and development.

How did Dei's access to healthcare and nutrition during her early years contribute to her growth?

Dei's mother was able to visit her doctor regularly and received proper nutrition, resulting in Dei being born with a healthy weight and continuing to grow tall and healthy.

What challenges did Puri face during her early childhood that affected her development?

Puri did not receive her full vaccinations, did not get the right nutrition, and suffered from frequent diarrhea due to lack of sanitation, which further stunted her growth.

What were the living conditions like for Dei and Puri in terms of sanitation?

Dei grew up in a house with clean running water and a toilet, while Puri's family couldn't afford a toilet and she had to defecate in the open.

How did the education system impact the girls' future opportunities?

Dei attended early childhood education classes and eventually graduated from high school and university, while Puri had to drop out after grade six due to financial constraints.

What type of jobs did Dei and Puri end up having due to their educational backgrounds?

Dei found a job with good pay and benefits, whereas Puri had to settle for a job in the informal sector with less pay, less security, and fewer benefits.

How does the cycle of poverty and inequality affect future generations in Puri's family?

Without a good job and access to healthcare or education, Puri won't be able to ensure her children stay in school, thus passing on poverty and inequality to the next generation.

What are some hypothetical improvements that could have been made to Puri's life if she had access to better resources?

If Puri's mother had received prenatal care and nutrition, if Puri had received all vaccinations, clean water, sanitation, and if she had the opportunity to attend school until graduation, it could have significantly improved her life and broken the cycle of poverty.

What broader impact could be achieved if more girls like Puri were given equal opportunities?

If girls like Puri were given equal opportunities for education, healthcare, and sanitation, it could change their communities and potentially transform Indonesia by breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality.