'I hope to buy one or two cows in 2003'<\/p>\n
With the coming of the new year, people hope for better days
\nduring 2003, especially as past years have been clouded by
\neconomic difficulties. The Jakarta Post interviewed some city
\nresidents about their hopes and dreams for 2003.<\/p>\n
Bu Sarip, is a mother of four children who has been selling
\nmung bean porridge for three years. She lives on Jl. Lada Dalam,
\nin West Jakarta, with her family:<\/p>\n
My dream is that in 2003 the economy will improve so that low
\nincome people like me can easily earn a living.<\/p>\n
With more income, I could afford to sell more goods, at least
\nsomething like instant noodles. I wish I could earn more than my
\ndaily income now, which is usually about Rp 50,000 a day.<\/p>\n
Then, I wish I could have a food stall around here so that I
\ncould earn more income.<\/p>\n
Frankly, I have a lot of hopes for the new year, but the most
\nimportant one is to develop my business. More goods and a better
\nplace are my dreams this year.<\/p>\n
However, I believe that man proposes and God disposes.<\/p>\n
Tugiman, 25, has worked as a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver on
\nJl. Pakin, North Jakarta, for more than a year. He lives in
\nJembatan Baru, West Jakarta, with friends:<\/p>\n
Despite my low income, I also hope that life will be easier in
\n2003; that I could earn more money easily.<\/p>\n
At least, there should be an increase in my earnings compared
\nto the previous year. I usually get Rp 20,000 a day at the most,
\nso in 2003 I should earn more.<\/p>\n
With the increased income, I plan to save money so that I can
\nbuy one or two cows in my village in Sragen, Central Java. I
\nestimate the smallest cow would cost around Rp 1.5 million. But,
\nI'm sure it will make a good investment.<\/p>\n
The following year, if I have enough savings, I plan to marry
\nsomeone I love. So far, I don't dare to start a relationship with
\na girl because I realize I'm not prepared to support her.<\/p>\n
Saumin, 63, is a street sweeper. He lives in Tomang, West
\nJakarta, with his wife and four of their seven children:<\/p>\n
I don't have any wishes for 2003. My life is just the way it
\nis and is unlikely to change.<\/p>\n
I'm getting older and, so what should I expect? I'm just
\ntrying to be realistic. My salary as a street sweeper is only Rp
\n200,000 a month. That the amount of money is meaningless compared
\nto the actual daily needs of my family.<\/p>\n
I feel it's hard to make a wish while I don't have any money.
\nI'm the only breadwinner in the family. I am a retired employee
\nof the city public works agency, but my pension, around Rp
\n400,000, a month, is far from enough.<\/p>\n
Perhaps, my hope is that I can continue to support my
\nchildren's education, at least until they finish senior high
\nschool. But I need the help of my three other children, who are
\nalready married, to help finance their education.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/i-hope-to-buy-one-or-two-cows-in-2003-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }