Katherine Shea is a consultant with the World food Programme, part of the UN system. She talks about how poverty and hunger are still problems, even in the rapid modernization of the middle class today Indonesia.
Katherine, tell us a little about your background. Where are you originally from?
I grew up in the United States, in Connecticut. I work with the World Food Programme worldwide but first in Uganda and Ecuador and now here in Jakarta.
Did you ever you wanted to work in development? Why?
I have always deeply cared about food security, what people were eating, where their food comes from and whether they had enough good food to eat. Those seemed to be the most important questions of life.
In the United States I loved cooking with ingredients from local farms. But everywhere our food systems have problems, so it is an interesting area.
How did you get to be in Indonesia, and what keeps you here?
While working for the UN in Ecuador, my husband was offered a job here. He was so excited about it that I agree to give Indonesia a try! He has contributed to WFP's Jakarta office had already expressed an interest in hiring me. Once we arrived, we really liked the people we met, and we enjoyed exploring the country, small isolated islands of Java rice fields.
What do you like living in Indonesia and what do you find difficult?
Exploring lesser-known parts of the country. Cultural, geological and biological Indonesia is incredible, both on land and at sea course, living in Jakarta, traffic is frustrating. - But the traffic is just a symptom of bigger challenge in Indonesia : the country has been taken advantage of by some selfish leaders, who failed to build better roads, public transport, waste management or any other decent public good because they were too busy filling their pockets. Watching a fight in the nation with the impact of this corruption is the real challenge.
How past experiences of yours - if jobs placed that you experienced, or education - you prepared to live and work in Indonesia?
Having traveled and lived abroad was crucial to survive here. Not because we knew what to expect, but because we knew not to have expectations. I learned from other developing countries not to wait for a system to function in a way, I understand; rather, to be ready for a different way of doing things and communicating. In Ecuador, for example, it took me a month to open a bank account; I was always told that it was impossible until a local helped me, using his connections. In Indonesia, I was prepared to not know how to navigate the system. But most Indonesians understood very effective on their own systems. For example, of course; the traffic is horrible, but you can order anything for delivery! You just need to learn the local tips.
Tell us about your current role to the World Food Programme. What the organization to focus on Indonesia and what is your part?
I support our monitoring and evaluation. In Indonesia, WFP is working in three areas. First, we are working with the government on food security analysis, mapping and monitoring. Second, we are working with the government to improve disaster preparedness and risk reduction. Finally, we work with local governments to implement nutrition programs in the most vulnerable areas for groups such as pregnant women and children under two. My role is to help monitor the work of WFP in these areas compared to our plans, to monitor progress.
Why hunger remains a problem in Indonesia?
Probably due to a combination of poverty and inefficient supply chains. In other words, the poor public and private infrastructure (such as roads and storage facilities) for agricultural products makes difficult access nutritious food. But of course, poverty is crucial.
What are some of the main WFP programs working on what you think you have a real impact on the lives of Indonesians?
I believe that school meals can make a big difference for Indonesia. Unfortunately, the government fired the national program several years ago. But elsewhere, school meals were an effective means of improving the human capital of a country in one generation. Children who eat at school tend to remain registered, participate more often and learn better. In addition, the models that we have developed in Papua and NTT use locally produced ingredients. WFP hopes to move to provide technical support to the Government to improve the National School Lunch Program.
What do you want, the main challenges facing the work of WFP here in the next three to five years?
As a country emerging middle income Indonesia is becoming an important player in the international economy, but at the same time malnutrition still hit its most inhabitants poor, who are also at high risk of natural disasters. With the economy growing, however, Indonesia is a priority for donors. Unfortunately, the government did not entirely the ability to solve these problems alone. Establishment of national food safety monitoring programs, preparation for school disaster or meals is difficult, and without the support of donors WFP will not have the funds to provide the government with the technical skills needed for these activities .
Tell us a special experience in your current role that has stuck with you?
I visited one of the local health stations where we provide specialty foods for pregnant women and their newborns last year. I asked one of the mothers if she ate all fortified biscuits we gave her last month itself, or share them with others. She looked a little embarrassed and said, "Well, I ate, but my husband's sister lives with us, so we all ate. I know they are for me because I'm pregnant, but when there is nothing else to eat and everyone is hungry, we all share the cookies. "It was a powerful reminder to me that in a country that has so much wealth, people are so poor.
Finally, we know that you are unfortunately leaving because of the imminent Indonesia. what that will do miss?
I will miss many people whose paths I have crossed in Jakarta, both expatriates and Indonesians. Total Indonesians are incredibly kind and thoughtful people who care actually the welfare of others, and that's a great cultural value so often missing in the West. I will miss living among such culture!
Thank you Katherine. To enter contact WFP, please visit www.wfp.org