Most of us cringe at hearing the word inflation. It takes a toll on everyone's pocketbook, but for many Indonesians, it is also tearing families apart.

Many Indonesian parents are being forced to place their children in orphanages. In a country where 100 million people live on less than a dollar a day, skyrocketing costs of food and fuel are making it difficult for families to feed themselves. Childcare institutions offer the children not only food, but also an education and the chance at a brighter future.

"I know my children are angry with me, but I try to convince them that is the best choice for us.… As a mother I want to take care of my children but I cannot be selfish. I want the best future for them, so I have no choice," said Tinor Niang, a mother who brought her two sons to an orphanage in central Jakarta nine years ago.

Only 6 percent of the 500,000 Indonesian children in childcare institutions are orphans, according to a recent report released by Save the Children in conjunction with UNICEF and the Indonesian government. Many of the institutions were understaffed, the report found, with nearly half running on less than $10,000 a year. When not being schooled, the children were found cooking and cleaning while caring for themselves and those younger than them.

While rising costs put financial pressure on parents, the children bear the price emotionally. "I just want to be with my parents, even if it means I cannot get an education," says 13-year-old Yulianto who has spent half his life in an orphanage.

Some parents argue that education is worth the emotional toll. "I just want him to get a proper education," says one mother who had to take her 11-year old to an orphanage. "I hope that one day he'll do something useful for this country and help his brothers, because we are living in poverty."

Photo: sektordua (flickr)

Darfur refugees wait in camps for the conflict to cease. Photo: Hdptcar (flickr)

Who knew a horse race could be a first step in working towards peace?

A beautiful photo essay on the BBC website describes how a traditional equestrian festival in Darfur was recently used as a unique place to promote peace and reconciliation. Darfuris are infatuated with horses and most are skilled horsemen and breeders, so using this festival to reconcile differences is particularly meaningful. During the festival races, food, and dancing brought people together, with men and women performing songs and dances that are centuries old.

The four-day gathering included leaders from both Arab and black African groups, and attempted to reconcile the two groups. The five-year-old conflict has been driven by competition for access to scarce water supplies and arable land, has killed at least 300,000 people and left more than two million as refugees.

The organizer of the event is Walid Madibo, from the largest Arab tribe in Darfur, one which has remained impartial in the conflict. He is leading his tribe in a proactive effort to restore peace through reconstructing trade and the economy, including hosting this traditional festival.

He says that “empowering civil society is the only way forward.”