Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu
1.8%, other 3.4%
Language: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (of which the most widely spoken is Javanese)
Democratic
12.5% (2011 est.) under the poverty line.
Marshanda was a preschooler who was abandoned my her mother at a young age and adopted by a witch doctor. The witch doctor's family needed a baby sitter and a house-keeper so Marshanda was quickly taken in. The duties were supposed to pay for her 'room and board'. However, only when Marshanda was good was she allowed to sleep inside on the dirt floor while the rest of the family slept on mattresses. Most nights Marshanda was tied up to a tree in the backyard. She dreaded night time and hearing the dreaded voice of the witch yelling "Come here you miserable dog!" This meant she would face another painful experience for some reason she did not understand. She knew better than disobeying the witch so, time after time she ran fearfully into the little, wooden house.
The witch would wait for Marsharnda just inside the door ready to slap her across the face so hard her ear would ring. "This plate is dirty!" the witch would scold dragging her to the smoky, back room where the cruellest punishments were undertaken. First, the cigarette burns then the cuttings on Marshanda's arms, legs and bottom. Marshanda tried not to cry loudly because bringing the villagers' attention to the witch's actions brought more punishments. Accidentally wetting herself also bore her more beatings due to the mess she had created.
As time went on the cutting increased and worsened. Marshanda was cut under her hair; her warm blood trickled down her face and neck. Since she was never washed her hair became matted with blood and dirt which also caused oozing sores.
Thankfully the next door neighbour noticed the child's suffering and called the police. But the police could not care less since Marshanda was a girl. They never turned up. Marshanda's suffering continued and she became like a wild animal. She never spoke and would whimper when anybody came near.
The village leaders heard the neighbours' concerns for Marshanda but did not know what to do. They were scared to approach the witch since she knew how to retaliate and inflict curses on the village. However, one villager suggested that Marshanda should be sent to a preschool at a nearby Christian seminary. The villagers approached the leader of the seminary called Mirah. Mirah seethed with anger when she heard about Marshanda's treatment and led the villagers to talk to the witch immediately.
Mirah explained to the witch that she wanted Marshanda to be treated like other girls and, if this did not happen they would find someone else who would. The witch was outraged and slammed the door in their faces. Her angry voice faded to the smoky, back room.
A week later, Marshanda was found wandering in a daze down the village's central, dirt road. She had a rag tied around her head, her dirty clothes were soaked with fresh blood and her head had been laid open with large gashes. Mirah was told about Marshanda immediately and with the village behind her she demanded the witch to sign the papers to give Marshanda up for adoption. The witch aggregately snatched the papers and signed sneering "the girl was a lazy dog. Never could do any work... I'm glad to be rid of her." It was amazing the witch gave-in so easily!
After Marshanda's rescue she was soon adopted by the cook at the seminary and students love her as their own little sister. She is no longer a wild and frightened animal with blood stained clothes but a lively, young girl. Marshanda loves to sing and dance, taking every opportunity to perform and giggles as a every young girl should.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or
terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never
leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened,
and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever
you go. - Joshua 1:9
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have
works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by
my works. - James 2:18
Bless the Lord, O my
soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who
heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you
with steadfast love and mercy. - Psalm 103:2-4
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