(Advertorial for PT Kaltim Prima Coal)

(Advertorial for PT Kaltim Prima Coal)

A new dawn for handicapped children

Looking at the world through only one eye has done nothing to
dampen his happy expression. Nor is Hutbah, a seven-month-old
baby boy, disturbed by his physical deformity. This despite a
harelip spreading to his right eye, and the kind of suffering
that is difficult even to imagine. His entire family suffers as
well, especially his mother, who prefers to remain anonymous.

When his parents found out the huge cost of the operation to
repair the harelip, their nightmare became worse. For several
years, the poor couple from Pasir regency, East Kalimantan
province, could do nothing but sigh every time they looked at
their son.

However, their prayers were finally answered. PT Kaltim Prima
Coal (KPC) financed operations for the poor in the region,
especially those suffering from physical defects, mostly harelips
and burns. Even the cost of accommodation and transportation were
paid for by KPC. Plastic surgeons from International Plastic
(Interplast) Australia, along with local surgeons from Kanujoso
Djatiwibowo Hospital (RSKD), funded by KPC, helped many people
during the operations at the hospital in Balikpapan, which took
place between July 1 and July 12.

Hutbah was one recipient of KPC's aid. The team of plastic
surgeons and child specialists restored his face, and many other
patients with harelips and burns. "I am forever grateful to God
for Hutbah's successful operation," said his mother, who could
not hide her joy.

Rosita, 8, suffered severe burns when she was four. Rosalia, a
staff member at KPC's representative office in Samarinda, was
present during the operation on Rosita. She explained that
Rosita's mother was adding oil to a lamp when the lamp exploded,
burning Rosita's face and body.

The family suffered further tragedy when the mother died three
years later while pregnant with Rosita's sister. Rosita's father
was not able to do much to alleviate his daughter's suffering.
What he earned was barely sufficient to feed the family. "The
whole family is thankful for this operation," Rosalia said.

The entire period of the operations was full of happiness and
gratitude. Even when the children -- some babies -- cried after
their anesthetic wore off, their families smiled in relief.

Ikmal Sadam, a three-month-old baby boy, for example, was one
of the loudest screamers when he woke up several hours after the
successful operation on his harelip. His parents, however, were
all smiles. "I will be forever thankful for the wonderful job
done on my boy," said his father Syaiful.

There were many similar joyful stories among the 90 other
patients besides Hutbah, Rosita and Sadam. The Interplast-KPC
program for 2003 was also supported in various forms by the
provincial and city health agencies, immigration office, customs
office, the Association of Indonesian Plastic Surgeons and Hotel
Dusit Balikpapan.

PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) has routinely conducted such
operations since 1993. These charitable activities to help the
poor and handicapped have always enjoyed the support of the
Rotary Club Australia, the Rio Tinto Foundation in Bigung Baru,
East Kutai, and the Australian International Development
Assistance Bureau.

As of 2002, more than 690 patients from West Kutai and East
Kutai, mostly with harelips and other facial disfigurements, have
undergone such operations. Some patients come from as far away as
South Kalimantan province.

"The operations not only boost their confidence, but open up
more opportunities for a better future," said Abdul Rajab, head
of city supervisory agency in Balikpapan, during the opening of
the Interplast-KPC 2003 program.

"This program will continue for years to come so that we can
help more people," said the general manager for external affairs
and sustainable development at KPC, Harry Miarsono.

The 2003 program was handled by the Interplast Australia team,
consisting of plastic surgeons and reconstruction specialists Dr.
John William De Wall and Dr. Robert Neil Boyle, anesthesiologist
Dr. John Oswald and nurses Margaret Humphreys and Georgina Scott.
Dr. Najtullah, a plastic surgeon from the School of Medicine at
the University of Indonesia in Jakarta was also involved. The
local team from RSKD, including children's specialists, assisted.

These surgeries have helped many people. Evi Sylvia, 34, of
West Kutai is one example. Before she had two operations in 1994
and 1995, she did not have a normal nose. A new, bright dawn
emerged after the successful operations.

"Now I feel more confident and am no longer ashamed to go
anywhere or simply mingle," she said with a smile.

Dr. John Oswald verbally commended her courage. Oswald, who
has been a member of the Interplast team to East Kalimantan since
1993, could not hide his admiration when he met Evi in the
ballroom of the Hotel Dusit Balikpapan. He repeatedly exclaimed:
"You have a brave heart, Evi!"

The Interplast-KPC program is only one item on a long list of
community work being done by this exemplary corporate citizen.