Microsoft Indonesia launches Interaksi 2

JAKARTA (JP): Computer manufacturer PT Microsoft Indonesia has launched a one-year free computer training program for children called Computer Information and Technology for Indonesian Children (Interaksi 2).

The program, which was officially launched at a ceremony attended by First Lady Sinta Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid at Merdeka Palace last week, was the second to have been launched here by the company.

Commencing on June 26, the initial program was directed at the children of scavenger families living at the Bantar Gebang dump in Bekasi, West Java.

Interaksi 2 is aimed at some 200 disabled children under the care of the Disabled Children's' Foundation in the East Java capital of Surabaya, the South Sumatra capital of Palembang and Yogyakarta. But adults may also participate in the program.

The purpose of the second program is to develop access to employment, information, knowledge and higher education for the disabled.

The company has earmarked US$50,000, which will be used to pay for 13 PC units and their accessories, Internet connection for a year, the salaries for instructors, one-year operational costs and other related expenses.

Also initiated last week was a joint program with the Mitra Netra Foundation for the blind, to develop the foundation's software package called Braille Converter for Windows Version 3.

The software is currently being used to convert the English version of Braille script into Indonesian. (hdn)