First lady aids poor

JAKARTA (JP): First Lady Shinta Nuriyah completed her weekly predawn Ramadhan charity work on Tuesday, having distributed some 23,380 food parcels to the needy.

During Tuesday's event alone, 9,400 packages were distributed to poor Jakarta residents preparing their predawn meal before the day's fast.

The program, which was carried with the assistance of various nongovernmental organizations, was designed to help forge closer relations with people from the lower socioeconomic strata of society and those working at the State Palace.

The first lady expressed hope that in the future similar events could be held, with those more well-off residents contributing to the program. (mds)