Juggling for the Third Millennium

As the 20th century draws to a close, Indonesians are performing financial acrobatics to make ends meet. With the new millennium carrying over the harsh economic environment, they will need to learn new tricks to keep life and limb together.

December 26, 2000

It is finally here. Sunarsih is about to face 2001, the start of the third millennium. She doesn't really have much to celebrate but she's doing her best. In the words of the song, she and her family are just staying alive. Amid the ruins of Indonesia's economy, this means being prepared to improvise in order to bring in the dough. In Sunarsih's case, she sells food. She tries to put a brave face on it. "I'm used to the hard life," says the 40 year old.

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