Ex-prisoners help young vendors<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Fifteen former political prisoners jailed during
\nthe New Order regime launched a program on Thursday aimed at
\nhelping 200 children and adolescents working as street vendors in
\nthe city.<\/p>\n
The program, sponsored by the ex-prisoners' cooperative, was
\ninaugurated by South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko on behalf of Minister
\nof Social Services Justika Sjarifuddin on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Pardjoko said during the ceremony that he strongly supported
\nthe program, which consisted of training courses, provision of
\nschool goods, including clothes, books, vending boxes,
\ncigarettes, candy and mineral water. All are free of charge.<\/p>\n
\"This constitutes one of the social safety programs amid the
\ncurrent monetary crisis,\" Pardjoko was quoted by Antara as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
M. Juli Anwar, the program coordinator, said that a fund of Rp
\n15 million (US$1,250) was needed to provide the working capital
\nto the 200 vendors per month and another Rp 25 million for their
\neducation, including for teachers' fees, books and other goods.<\/p>\n
Of the 200 vendors joining the program, 100 are drop-outs, 75
\nare still attending school and 25 never attended school at all,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The head of the ex-prisoners' cooperative, Beathor Suryadi,
\nsaid that his group's founders were former prisoners jailed for
\nseveral political cases, including Tanjung Priok, Lampung, Aceh
\nand defamation against Soeharto. (hhr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ex-prisoners-help-young-vendors-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}