Pasaraya provides free circumcisions

JAKARTA (JP): Retailer PT Pasaraya Nusakarya provided free circumcisions to 53 young boys at its Pasaraya Manggarai shopping center in South Jakarta yesterday, an executive of the firm said.

Company spokeswoman Rakhmayanti said the procedure was given to seven- and eight-year-old boys from poor families living around the shopping center in conjunction with the celebration of Indonesia's 53rd Independence Day on Monday.

"The service was aimed at helping parents by lifting the burden of high circumcision costs amid the prolonged economic crisis. It's a kind of care program from Pasaraya," Rakhmayanti said.

She said that after the procedure, the company gave the boys sarongs, hats, clothes and an amount of money -- items traditionally given by parents to boys who have been newly circumcised.

The company also plans to hold a blood drive at the Manggarai store on Aug. 17 in cooperation with the Indonesian Red Cross.

Rakhmayanti said the outlet was currently hosting an arts and food fair from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31.

Pasaraya's Blok M store is hosting a Bali festival and an Indonesian food fair during August as well, she added. (jun)