Hj Rohipa, 55 A woman with a real or perceived psychosocial disability sits with her ankle chained to a platform bed at Yayasan Bina Lestari faith healing center in Brebes, Central Java._08/13/19
Several men with real or perceived psychosocial disabilities held in crowded conditions in the male section of Yayasan Galuh Rehabilitation Center in Bekasi. No one is turned away if they cannot pay.
1. Men with real or perceived psychosocial disabilities shackled in unsanitary conditions in the Syamsul Ma'arif faith healing center in Brebes, Central Java. 2. Men with real or perceived psychosocial disabilities in the Syamsul Ma'arif faith healing center in Brebes, Central Java in 2018. As his companion smokes a cigarette distributed by a staff member one of them stands bringing attention to his swollen ankles and feet.
Guy’s Notes: Mbah Marsiyo established a home for people with real or perceived psychosocial disabilities 40 years ago. His intent was to provide housing, but he has never intended to provide any treatment, he is not a healer.
His encourages the men and to work and engaged in any activities that are offered. In 1016 a doctor and a psychiatrist from the local Puskesmas began to visit and provide medications. The Social department’s support has only been to provide some food. Many of the residents complained of chronic hunger and the prohibition of tobacco.
This man is a resident at Marsiyo's House in Kebumen Indonesia. He is shackled to a a large round cylinder with a short length of chain. His skeletal unnaturally positioned body appears to be impaired by injury or disability. Several residents tell me they are very very hungry. They get two small meals a day consisting of mostly rice, a few tomatoes or cassava. A doctor provided by the community visits once a month but "does nothing". Marsiyo, the elderly owner provides this crumbling home for people with a real or perceived mental illness but does not provide any rehabilitation program of his own. Those who are able have the opportunity to become laborers working on his property. _10/20/19
At Yayasan Bani Syifa in Banten Indonesia, this very young man is confined adult males and no other children or adolescents. Just as I was photographing a man teased him grabbing at his sarong suggestivly. Although a guard and other residents watched I was the only one that protested. In another building a child younger the ten years old is also housed solely with adult men. 11/01/19
Yayasan Assalam, Cilicap, Central Java has operated since 1994 beginning just after it’s founder, Josono graduated from his collage. He learned a method of healing from a Pesantren in Jakarta. That traditional form of treatment includes spraying water onto the patients and giving them a unique herbal concoction to drink. He employs any patient who recovers and cannot go return home because the family won’t accept them anymore. They work for Jasono with the Yayasan’s livestock and on the plantation. The residents: Sumirah 24 Siti sumaryati 17 - Nurse Imam sudrajat 36 - Policeman Sriyah - Homeless Nurrohim 42 - Accountant Sarno suratman 61 – retired policeman Ambar 35 - Chef
Yayasan Assalam, Cilicap, Central Java has operated since 1994 beginning just after it’s founder, Josono graduated from his collage. He learned a method of healing from a Pesantren in Jakarta. That traditional form of treatment includes spraying water onto the patients and giving them a unique herbal concoction to drink. He employs any patient who recovers and cannot go return home because the family won’t accept them anymore. They work for Jasono with the Yayasan’s livestock and on the plantation. The residents: Sumirah 24 Siti sumaryati 17 - Nurse Imam sudrajat 36 - Policeman Sriyah - Homeless Nurrohim 42 - Accountant Sarno suratman 61 – retired policeman Ambar 35 - Chef
This man paces and wanders about a walled in courtyard that holds the prayer building to his right and a few large cage like cells behind him. Other men lying about in the shadows of the mosque sing song after song to me as I photograph. Ponpes Rehabilitasi Jiwa Assyifa, established in 2005 has about 120 residents, largely men. The traditional method of treatment employed includes the usual herbal drinks and deep vigorous massage with a hard implement. No medications are used with the exception of a physical illness_10/13/19
The Forgotten People: Indonesians with Psychosocial Disabilities Living in Social Care Institutions amidst the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic
Copyright
Andrea Star Reese
2024
Date of Work
Jul 2019 - Ongoing
Updated May 2020
My current work 2018, 2019 photographs and video clips used by Perhimpunan Jiwa Sehat-Indonesian Mental Health Association (PJS) for an urgent report launched in meetings with the Government of Indonesia and released publicly. PJS is requesting emergency COVID-19 oversight and aid for underserved social care institutions housing Indonesians with a real or perceived psychosocial disability. There is no data base or list of these facilities. No one knows how many exist or where they are. Along with this video accompaniment PJS and other local NGO's have put together practical suggestions to help prevent what could be the next COVID-19 hotspots. I am honored and relieved to have been able to contribute what I have and what I know to this urgent report.