Many NGOs exploit children program<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: At least 25 percent of non-governmental organizations
\n(NGOs) working for the benefit of the country's 100,000 street
\nchildren were set up because of the lure of huge loans from the
\nAsian Development Bank, the Ministry of Social Affairs' director
\ngeneral for rehabilitation and social services, Puji Astuti,
\nsays.<\/p>\n
\"Entranced by huge ADB loans, a lot of people spontaneously
\nset up non-governmental organizations, but none of them has the
\nqualifications nor previous experience in handling street
\nchildren or other social issues,\" Puji said.<\/p>\n
Since 1998, the ADB has been providing Indonesia with Rp 50
\nbillion in loans annually to ease the impact of the economic
\ncrisis on street children. ADB funding will stop in June 2002,
\nbut the program will continue, with financing coming from the
\nstate budget.<\/p>\n
The loans have been used to finance activities at 700 halfway
\nhomes and social institutions, such as psychological and social
\ncounselings and health services for Indonesia's 100,000 street
\nchildren.<\/p>\n
\"With no more loans coming from ADB, and programs for street
\nchildren to be financed with a relatively small state budget
\nallocation, we will see then whether the NGOs are still
\ninterested in helping street children,\" he said. -- Antara<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/many-ngos-exploit-children-program-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}