Care after three decades

JAKARTA (JP): Care International marked its 30th anniversary of operations in Indonesia with a dinner on Friday attended by ambassadors of the major governments that fund its work, which focuses chiefly on poverty alleviation.

Ambassadors Gary J. Smith of Canada, Tim Groser of New Zealand and Stapleton Roy of the United States were among the honorary guests at the dinner hosted by Care International Indonesia director Ann Thompson at Ambhara Hotel.

Thompson is the only non-Indonesian staff member in the 161- strong force of the non-governmental organization.

Founded by American interests in 1945 to help the reconstruction of war-ravaged Europe, Care International began working in Indonesia in 1967 to help in food distribution in Java.

Its focus of operation has since changed and it now focuses on water supply and sanitation, primary health care and the environment.

One of its projects is the ASYIK health/environment children's magazine which reaches 99,000 primary school students and 1,200 teachers in Lombok. The magazine will soon be distributed in Sulawesi.