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Rainbow Village: Indonesian Government Invests $22,467 To Paint 232 Slum Houses, And Result Is Amazing
Why go somewhere over the rainbow when you can just hang out inside of it? Kampung Pelangi, a small village in Indonesia, has transformed itself into a stunning display of bright colours and whimsical designs, a huge departure from its former state of squalor.
The Central Java community, located in a southern district of Semarang, spent over $22k on the magnificent makeover in a bid to shake off its status as a degraded slum. Initiated by 54-year-old junior high principal Slamet Widodo, the project was inspired by at least 3 other towns in the country that adopted similar paint jobs, and has turned at least 232 homes in Kampung Pelangi into works of art. Creative murals adorning the walls of narrow passageways burst with life, giving a veritable pulse to the whole village.
Tourists have definitely taken early notice of Indonesia’s growing rainbow village trend, and have flocked to them accordingly, including Kampung Pelangi. The investments made in revamping the former slum are sure to pay off, as local businesses are already seeing a rise in souvenir and food sales, according to the Indonesian Builders Association. It goes without saying that the lively, bohemian atmosphere of this newfound hot spot is also gold for Instagram shots!
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A former run-down slum in Central Java, Indonesia has received a dazzling makeover
Image credits: anomharya, arieprakhman
It all started when junior high school principal Slamet Widodo, 52, saw the need to improve his community
Image credits: arieprakhman
He proposed the painting of all 390 houses in Kampung Pelangi, his native village, in bright colours
Image credits: isnaininurul51
The government then pledged over $22k towards the initiative, and the transformation began
Image credits: kingkin.kin
Overseen by mayor Hendrar Prihadi, 232 homes in the area have now been adorned with art
Image credits: jalidin
The project encourages “the active involvement of citizens in the improvement of their home,” says Prihadi
Image credits: riza_fe
In addition to filling the town with art, residents will also undertake the cleaning of the nearby river
Image credits: nicolas_ertaf
Kampung Pelangi follows the example of at least 3 other former slums, including the famous Jodipan Village
Image credits: isnaininurul51
Since beautifying their village, Kampung Pelangi has seen a sudden increase in international tourism
Image credits: mzndoe
It’s no surprise why – these rainbow streets are gold for Instagram photos, and #kampungpelangi is blowing up
Image credits: amilantih
This rapid influx of visitors has led to a jump in local food and souvenir sales, benefiting the local economy
Image credits: anakhitssemarang
The future is bright and colourful for Kampung Pelangi thanks to the amazing power of art!
Image credits: tri_wahdatii
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What do you think ?
coffee zombie 8 years ago
There was a similar thing done in my town a few years ago but instead of rainbows they drew animals native to my country. It does look good but slum life goes on as usual sadly.
Rin Rin 8 years ago
Now its just a rainbow colored slum. All that money could be used to repairs and rebuilds, developement..
Load More Replies...
Nadine Lujan 8 years ago
To those saying that it is just a superficial fix - they do know that. They aren't stupid. They know a coat of paint isn't going to magically bring them out of poverty. But 1) it brings added tourism which equals $$, 2) it encourages residents to take an active part in their community - such as they are cleaning the water supply and 3) it helps alleviate some of the depression that comes with living in poverty. A pink and purple house won't make you less hungry, but it can make you less hopeless - and I think that is wonderful.
Full Name 8 years ago
I thought that was self evident and was shocked at how many people just didn't get it. Doesn't matter what's done to brighten people's lives (in this case, literally) a segment of the population will b***h. What's pathetic about these people is that they're doing the bitching on behalf of people who are helped by it. The article itself talks about tourism dollars so it probably didn't cost a single penny in the long run. Some people just have to take their miserable lives out on other people. It's sad.
Load More Replies...
Ana T. 8 years ago
why instead of buy paint used the for drain pipes so people can have BASIC SANITARY CONDITIONS! ridiculous how people focus in something so stupid like the pretty colors of the house instead of real issues that poor people live in, i from mexico and i grow in a rural town that later be came a city and a problem that we had was no water, the government gets taxes every year but yet people that are part of lower income don't get basic things like clean water , a water trump drive every week , instead of getting water from a faucet. i know your Americans had not idea because you people never stop to think damn this simple thing called water that comes to my shower is something not everyone has or thank god my kids had water and can shower every day" no because you people had not idea of how it is to live in real poverty.
Nema Lasaria 8 years ago
This village has a running water. Most houses have indoor toilets and underground septictanks. It's not a slum as in Indian Dharavi. The problem of villages in Java is not aboyt basic sanitary, but more about village planning. Houses were built next to each other. It makes a very narrow road. These villages are not the rich part of the regency but it's not a slum. Imagine Santorini but with third world income
Load More Replies...
Liz Perry 8 years ago
Wow! What an excellent way to disguise the poverty issue I need your country without actually fixing it. UH....pretty sure they already did this in Brazil
Janice Foster 8 years ago
"This rapid influx of visitors has led to a jump in local food and souvenir sales, benefiting the local economy."
Load More Replies...
Felicity Halliwell 8 years ago
Beautiful, such a clever move to do by the government as it'll create tourism.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Awesome, let's hide poverty and insalubrity under a thin layer of paint. Tourists will be pleased.
lemontzz aide 8 years ago
what an excellent way to brighten what might ordinarily be so so drab - especially for those who live there!! Now that's working for the people!!!
tweetybird 8 years ago
its beautiful and hopefully will make their day just a little bit brighter
coffee zombie 8 years ago
There was a similar thing done in my town a few years ago but instead of rainbows they drew animals native to my country. It does look good but slum life goes on as usual sadly.
Rin Rin 8 years ago
Now its just a rainbow colored slum. All that money could be used to repairs and rebuilds, developement..
Load More Replies... Nadine Lujan 8 years ago
To those saying that it is just a superficial fix - they do know that. They aren't stupid. They know a coat of paint isn't going to magically bring them out of poverty. But 1) it brings added tourism which equals $$, 2) it encourages residents to take an active part in their community - such as they are cleaning the water supply and 3) it helps alleviate some of the depression that comes with living in poverty. A pink and purple house won't make you less hungry, but it can make you less hopeless - and I think that is wonderful.
Full Name 8 years ago
I thought that was self evident and was shocked at how many people just didn't get it. Doesn't matter what's done to brighten people's lives (in this case, literally) a segment of the population will b***h. What's pathetic about these people is that they're doing the bitching on behalf of people who are helped by it. The article itself talks about tourism dollars so it probably didn't cost a single penny in the long run. Some people just have to take their miserable lives out on other people. It's sad.
Load More Replies... Ana T. 8 years ago
why instead of buy paint used the for drain pipes so people can have BASIC SANITARY CONDITIONS! ridiculous how people focus in something so stupid like the pretty colors of the house instead of real issues that poor people live in, i from mexico and i grow in a rural town that later be came a city and a problem that we had was no water, the government gets taxes every year but yet people that are part of lower income don't get basic things like clean water , a water trump drive every week , instead of getting water from a faucet. i know your Americans had not idea because you people never stop to think damn this simple thing called water that comes to my shower is something not everyone has or thank god my kids had water and can shower every day" no because you people had not idea of how it is to live in real poverty.
Nema Lasaria 8 years ago
This village has a running water. Most houses have indoor toilets and underground septictanks. It's not a slum as in Indian Dharavi. The problem of villages in Java is not aboyt basic sanitary, but more about village planning. Houses were built next to each other. It makes a very narrow road. These villages are not the rich part of the regency but it's not a slum. Imagine Santorini but with third world income
Load More Replies... Liz Perry 8 years ago
Wow! What an excellent way to disguise the poverty issue I need your country without actually fixing it. UH....pretty sure they already did this in Brazil
Janice Foster 8 years ago
"This rapid influx of visitors has led to a jump in local food and souvenir sales, benefiting the local economy."
Load More Replies... Felicity Halliwell 8 years ago
Beautiful, such a clever move to do by the government as it'll create tourism.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Awesome, let's hide poverty and insalubrity under a thin layer of paint. Tourists will be pleased.
lemontzz aide 8 years ago
what an excellent way to brighten what might ordinarily be so so drab - especially for those who live there!! Now that's working for the people!!!
tweetybird 8 years ago
its beautiful and hopefully will make their day just a little bit brighter
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