Acehnese disabled to receive training

JAKARTA: The Association of Indonesian Disabled People (PPCI) in cooperation with Handicap International will be giving training to disabled people in tsunami-ravaged Aceh to help them become financially independent citizens.

Handicap International, a world organization dealing with handicapped people, was ready to contribute 175,000 Euro (some Rp 2 billion) in grants to carry out the training program.

"The grant will not be disbursed in cash but will be in the form of activities designed by PPCI and Handicap International," PPCI chairman Siswadi told a ceremony at which the two organizations signed an agreement on Friday.

He said the training program was aimed at providing the disabled with various skills in such fields as trading, handicrafts, massage, sawing and others.

PPCI would be discussing details of the program with its foreign partner, he added.

Siswadi said the Dec. 26 tsunami may double the number of the disabled people in Aceh from the original 25,000. --JP