Hotel Mulia holds social program

JAKARTA (JP): Hotel Mulia Senayan on Jl. Asia Afrika in South Jakarta organized its first social welfare program on Friday, providing free circumcision for 77 children in the neighborhood.

"Through this program, we'd like to display to the people our concern for low income families," the hotel's assistant public relations officer, Alice Joe, said.

Covering their faces with peci (black caps), the boys found it difficult to deal with the operations. One boy even ran away and his father had to chase him to bring him to the operating table.

Each of the boys received a sarong, a new peci and some money.

The circumcision, started at about 7 a.m. on Friday, was held at the nearby Nurul Falaakh mosque. A team of eight doctors and two nurses performed the operations.

"I'm glad that the hotel offered us this free circumcision," Nuriati said after her seven-year-old son Rizki's operation was over.

Alice said the hotel tried to prove its commitment to the community despite the economic downturn and slow tourism.

She said the hotel also planned to invite children to join a kite festival next month. (03)