Slum becomes tourist attraction with some colorful paint

It used to be a rusty, dusty testament to poverty. Now it is a rainbow-colored tourist attraction.

Indonesia’s Kampung Pelangi changed its appearance—and its future.

All it took was an idea from a local teacher and $22,500 from the government. Villagers bought bright-colored paint and transformed the appearance of their home.

Now the once-scruffy slum is a bright and welcoming destination.

One visitor, Nihayatun Naqiyah, explained, “It’s because of the unique look of the village. We know this area used to be a slum district but now it looks so beautiful after the colorful makeover. I used to pass this area without any interest but now the colors change everything.”

The colors changed more than the appearance. The residents’ outlook is changing.

Not only does the influx of visitors provide economic opportunity but residents now realize they have the power to make changes in their lives.

“Before we were only the residents of what I can say was a quiet village, but now we can call it a dynamic village,” said Kampung Pelangi resident Amanah Suyitno. “Now women are empowered and are able to increase their family’s income.”