More companies willing to help poor children

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.