Donation

I recently wrote a letter about the plight of the starving inmates of a mental institution in Jakarta. Thanks to that letter, and a related front page article, there have been offers of help -- both money and food. I am thankful to report that the people have been pulled back from the edge of starvation.

There was a letter to The Jakarta Post some time ago from Harry, a tourist from the Netherlands. He mentioned that many tourists would like to help institutions such as Panti Laras 3. I was advised that I should give the telegraphic transfer number for donations to help Panti Laras 3 and other needy institutions. You can be sure that the donation will go directly to the poor people. Please transfer to: A.I.C.C., Panti Laras Fund, c/-Bank A.N.Z. Panin, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 1, Acc. No. 5102302001.

It is impossible to help every person in need in Indonesia. If we could concentrate on a few "text book" cases and show that people can begin to help themselves, perhaps the spirits of other Indonesians would be lifted from the gloom and despair now engulfing them.

CHRISTINE BURNS

Jakarta