It has been more than 5 years since asylum seekers from conflict-ridden countries have been living and surviving in Indonesia as a transit country awaiting their transfer to their destination countries. There is a residence for asylum seekers in the Kalideres area, West Jakarta, which is a former Military Command Headquarters building that was converted to accommodate asylum seekers because previously they were forced to live on the pavement in front of the Kalideres Immigration Detention Center with tents or makeshift huts.
Initially, around 2020 the number of those living in this building reached more than 1,000 people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, and other countries. But over time their numbers have decreased because they have been moved to other refugee camps such as the Tebet and Bogor areas, but some have managed to leave for their destination countries, or even return to their countries again.
Under the supervision of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), there are now around 100 asylum seekers still living and surviving in this building, consisting of adults and children. The condition of the building is very poorly maintained, and those who do not get a room are forced to build their huts or tents in the middle of the room as a place of privacy. Those who do get a room are prioritized over those who have many family members.
Many children are affected by their parent's decision to become asylum seekers, some of whom were even born in Indonesia. These children are forced to spend their childhood in another country as asylum seekers. Initially, they could not get the right to education, because Indonesia has not yet ratified the refugee convention. Previously, they learned on their own, even sticking writings containing English vocabulary on the ceiling of their room walls, besides that the walls also became their media for writing lessons. Finally, at the beginning of 2023, they got the opportunity to be able to attend a private school whose contents were also children of asylum seekers. Every morning, the children gather in the courtyard of the building to wait for the pick-up that will take them to school.
For daily activities, since the adults are not allowed to work, they keep themselves busy by gathering while talking, playing games, cooking, washing clothes, and exercising every afternoon. They are very friendly and often greet residents or anyone who comes to visit, even though in the past their existence was rejected and demoed by residents, and they were even labeled as a negative thing for the surrounding environment.
For food needs, they get help from responsible parties or donors. With little help they have to share with the many people who live in the place, one of the important needs they need is clean water or mineral water. Although they live with limitations and their existence is often rejected, they are happier and more grateful to be able to live in Indonesia than having to return to their home country, because here they still feel the name of humanity.
