Living in shanty town

Atikah Aly

It has been five years Jono, thirty-two years old, lived in a small house in shanty town with his wife and five children. His kids never go to school because Jono is just a beggar. Two days ago, his small house burnt caused by short electricity tension. Now Jono has nothing left with him. He has to find another place to live instead. Therefore, by this example of the society condition, shanty town is not worth for living in term of health, and safety aspects.

Living in health environment becomes the crucial consideration. However, shanty town is located in a remote location and it is located in trash region. That is ironic because the house becomes the only place where people back home, kids are growing up and elderly spend their leisure time. It must be the proper place for them to live. In addition, shanty town is always indicated by a narrow and disorganized location. Because of this condition, shanty town brings negative impact to the society’s health, especially for oxygen supply. Another health aspect that is harmed by living in shanty town is that because the location is far from health access. This is the worst one, because poor families almost never go to any hospital. “How do they heal from sickness?” I guess they would prefer think about their meal rather than their health.

The safety of the house is also quite important. People have to reconsider about the composition of building materials, because it is related to the building strength. It also influences the period of the house, how long the house can stand firmly. Unfortunately, most of the houses in shanty town are not qualified in terms of the building materials composition. Most of them are made from feeble building materials which are dangerous because it cannot brace the pole very well. In such manner, it leads to fall down like many cases happen in India. Other case is that the house is made from flammable materials which can easily cause a fire when there is short electricity tension. Report shows many fire issues happen in Jakarta caused by short electricity tension and it spreads all over the town fast because their houses are contiguous.

Thus, living shanty town is highly not recommended for the betterment of society’s condition. Somehow society needs a proper place to live. It must not be luxurious, but it must be the firm house having good environment. “Home sweet home” will be not only a word and it belongs to every human being. Finally, every country in the world would solve their poverty problem easily.

Writer: Atikah Aly