More companies willing to help poor children

Sudibyo M. Wiradji, Contributor, Jakarta

A universal notion that children are the future of a nation definitely reflects, to some extent, the importance of education for children to face the future. In crisis-hit Indonesia, however, where many children cannot go to school because their destitute parents cannot financially afford it. The notion also calls for tangible participation of every member of society to give a hand to the children.

In response to the increasing number of children that need educational aid in parallel with corporate social responsibility, companies have been actively engaged in handling child-related problems because, as many have put it, "children are the continuing generation who will lead and develop the nation in the future." It seems that more and more companies are now willing to help the poor children.

PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI), for instance, has focused its programs for the children of poor families on providing financial aid for education and health services. In implementing the program, Caltex involves employees through the Unity of Caltex Mothers and several foundations in Caltex's surrounding area, such as Yayasan Kesatuan Pendidikan Islam (YKPI) or the Islamic Education Unity Foundation, Mutiara Duri Foundation and Chevron Social Foundation and Texaco Indonesia (YSCTI).

The educational aid programs have been in the form of financial aid for school fees, school uniforms and other school needs. The company has given financial aid for education to some 2,000 children in Riau. About 3,000 others outside of Riau have received financial assistance through YSCTI and Caltex affiliated company PT Amoseas Indonesia Inc.

The company sets aside US$75,000 per year to finance educational programs. It has been involved in educational aid since 1958. The YSCTI's budget for educational programs is set at between $50,000 and up to $70,000 per year. The YSCTI programs started on the 2000/2001 fiscal year and the recipients of the financial aid are subject to yearly evaluation.

YSCTI channeled the education funds through Yayasan Lembaga Gerakan Nasional Orang Tua Asuh (YLGN-OTA) or the National Movement Foundation for Foster Parents since 2000 and continues until today.

Promoting education in rural areas is an important part of the community development of the natural resources-based companies in the country. Freeport Indonesia, Kaltim Prima Coal and Newmont Nusa Tenggara have long been known for their serious commitment to promote the education of the local residents particularly their children.

Other companies also show their great care for children. Publicly listed PT Indofood emphasizes education and health services as far as the tangible contribution to the education and welfare of Indonesian children, especially those of destitute families, is concerned.

Indofood's child-related programs, either conducted by the company alone or in cooperation with other related institutions, are not only in the form of scholarships but also in the form of products and support to facilitate children's programs like Posyandu, Komnas Peduli Anak or the Human Rights Care for Children, Koalisi Untuk Indonesia Sehat 2010 or Coalition for a Healthy Indonesia 2010.

Every year the company provides scholarships for 2,000 children of poor parents through Beasiswa Chiki (Chiki Scholarship) and Beasiswa Indomie (Indomie Scholarship).The Beasiswa Chiki program kicked off in 1987 and is intended for junior high schools throughout Java. While, its Beasiswa Indomie program, launched in 1989, has been targeted to junior and senior high school students throughout the country.

The company's deep concern over the adverse effects of the current crisis, such as the cut backs in many welfare programs and subsidies here since 1997 in which the state is increasingly seen as uncaring. There has also been an increase in ethnic hostility, a declining sense of mutual respect for cultural diversity, and these have moved PT Indofood to launch a cultural diversity education program at earlier ages by producing a film series, Pustaka Nusantara, or The Story of our Archipelago.

"In cooperation with Visi Anak Bangsa, Indofood produces 32 documentary film series representing the existing provinces in Indonesia, with children as the primary target," the company said.

The film is expected to restore the high awareness on the part of children as candidates for being leaders in the next generation to see beauty, share love and mutually appreciate the diversity of the nation.

Other child-related programs by Indofood include Lomba Balita Indonesia or the Contest for Indonesian Babies Under Five, Hari Bercerita Anak or Day of Children Story Telling and Permata Indonesia Penerus Bangsa or Indonesia's Jewel of Continuing Nation.

The company said that its child care programs will be continued and be adjusted to social needs to allow it to continuously participate in enhancing education, health and welfare of Indonesian children.

Meanwhile, publicly listed cigarette company, PT HM Sampoerna has launched scholarship programs for children of poor families, starting from elementary level to junior high, senior high and university levels.

According to company statistics, the recipients of scholarships in 2000 reached 809, 1,192 in 2001 and 1,548 in 2002.

The recipients of scholarships have been chosen based on study achievement, with the highest grades, and they are children of parents who are financially weak in Sampoerna's surrounding areas in East Java.

"We feel that we should provide school fees for children or students with achievement, who come from poor families because we are sure that the young generation with sharp minds and achievement are leadership candidates in the future. If they fail to continue their study because of financial constraints, then this will become a tragedy for our nation," said Niken Rachmad.