Reconstructing Lived Experiences

A Phenomenological Study of Underprivileged Children in Indonesia’s Sekolah Rakyat Program, Bantul, Yogyakarta

Abstract

Children account for over one-third of Indonesia's poor demographic. This situation linked to the social and demograhic situation of the family ecosystem, forming experiences of deprivation that can harm their growth. As sporadic aid fails to transform deprivative home environments, the government introduced the Sekolah Rakyat Program, an institutional intervention aimed to break the cycle of poverty. This study aims to deconstruct the experiences of deprivation among underprivileged children and how the presence of Sekolah Rakyat reconstruct their lived experiences differently. This qualitative phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of 10 impoverished children aged 15 – 17 who are enrolled in the program. Data were collected through in-depth interview, observation, and documentation. The findings reveal diverse forms of material deprivations (housing, education, health, nutrition, information, and leisure) and psychosocial deprivations at home. Furthermore, the study identifies significant shifts in both material and psychosocial experiences following the intervention of Sekolah Rakyat. This research serves as a valuable reference for a new model in child poverty alleviation initiatives.