In Reply to: You kind hearted Australians posted by Charliebalibear on Monday, 18. June 2012 at 09:49 Bali Time:
I personally think you are looking through some pretty dark cheap copy Bali sunglasses if you think what you say is correct.Maybe some of these facks could be true in a Busy, crowded, overpopulated tourist area like Kuta and Legian, but what about the rest of Bali that has no tourism and families struggle to survive. Many of these people come to places like Sanur away from their villages like Klungkung, Singaraja, Kanarasam (spelt wrong) to find work and support their families back in the village, also remember that due to their culture most Balinese spend approx.25-30% of their wage on offerings and ceremonies, they have to pay for a koss while living away as well as electricity food and clothing on top of that they may have an old beaten up motorbike to get back to their village for temple ceremonies,weddings,births etc.
In Jan. 2012 the government increased the min. wage of public servants to Rp1,350,000 the bar staff, hotel workers etc. would be lucky to see 75% of that, haven't you worked it out why there is so much corruption in Indonesia in general, Police stops become more prominent between the 25th- to the 5th of each month this is because the police are paid low and have run out of money.
Indonesia unlike Australia doesn't have a social security system, or a penion so the younger ones in the family support the older many situations living in the same family home with 2-3 generations of the same family.
The prices of electricity has gone up some 80% in the past 2 years as has Bingtang, food and the regular cost of living.Petrol(bensin)subsidies from the Government have reduced to vertually nil and are about to increase again in the next month or so, bringing it close to Australian cost prices.
Why is there so many Orphanages in Bali alone as village people cannot support there own children, yes Indonesia has a schooling system but each child must have 3 different uniforms each week and parents unlike Australia must pay the school anyway.
I do agree with you in some things you write but I live here and see and support and orphanage, and do see the poverty in other non tourist areas.