Hotel workers act as foster parents

JAKARTA (JP): Fifty employees of Hotel Ciputra have agreed to act as foster parents to 69 orphanage children and finance the cost of their education, an executive of the hotel said Saturday.

The hotel public relations manager, Harti Hadisoemo, said the foster parent program was aimed at helping the children, most of whom are homeless, to continue with their education.

The children from two foundations -- Yayasan Insan Kamil and Pentekosta church foundation, both in West Jakarta -- met their foster parents at the hotel on Saturday.

"We hope other hotels will follow our lead," Harti said.

She said under the movement the foster parents would pay tuition fees and the cost of books and transport for the children who range between elementary and senior high schools for a one year period.

She said each child needed between Rp 250,000 and Rp 750,000 a year to meet the cost of their education.

An employee can choose to finance one or more students and students can be financed by more than one employee. So it won't overly burden our employees either, she added. (jun)