New libraries for orphanages

JAKARTA (JP): Forty-five girls in Putra Setia orphanage in Central Jakarta can now enjoy a collection of 500 titles of storybooks and literature in their small library.

The books, along with bookshelves and boxes of powdered milk, were donated by milk producer PT Friesche Vlag Indonesia (FVI) in a ceremony here last weekend.

FVI, producer of powdered milk Susu Bendera (Indonesian for Frisian Flag), simultaneously donated the books and milk to four other orphanages in Jakarta's other four mayoralties. Similar programs are slated through early December in Medan, Padang, Palembang, Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Semarang and Makassar.

The company's personnel manager, Hendro Harijogi, said the company takes Rp 500 from every product it sells to fund the social program, called Peduli Anak Indonesia (Care for Indonesian Children).

"We're not doing this alone as our consumers also contributed to the program," Hendro told reporters at Putra Setia orphanage in Kramat Sentiong, which houses females aged between six and 21 years old.

Matthijs Wiggers, the firm's marketing director, said the FVI would continue its social programs. "But we'll keep focusing on children."

Siska, one of the eldest among her friends at the orphanage, said: "Although most of the books are for young children, we love having them. I wish we could get more of them, including comic books," she said, smiling sheepishly. (01)