Family day in N. Sumatra

JAKARTA: This year's National Family Day will be on June 29, with the highlight being a ceremony in Binjai, North Sumatra, presided by President Soeharto.

State Minister of Population Haryono Suyono said here Monday that the event would be significant in the national campaign to improve the welfare of about 11.5 million poor families.

National Family Day began in 1994 with the launch of the Family Welfare Development Movement. This and another program, the City-like Village Development Movement launched in 1995, aim to improve the income of rural people.

To help poor families improve their welfare, the government since last year has been granting Rp 2,000 to each poor family as opening balances for a Welfare Family Savings scheme.

Under the scheme, poor families can borrow up to Rp 20,000 and double this if they can pay their initial debts. (swe)