Red Cross helps underprivileged

JAKARTA (JP): Some 5,000 youths from the Jakarta Red Cross organized a day of social services for the poor at its head office on Jl. Kramat Raya in Central Jakarta yesterday.

The activities included free medical checkups, cataract operations, circumcisions and free spectacles for primary school students.

Jakarta Red Cross spokesman Eko Rianto told The Jakarta Post that 120 people received free medical services, which were handled by doctors from the Indonesia Red Cross Headquarters and City Military Office.

"The people who got the free services were registered with our five subbranches in the city. Priority was given to primary school children whose parents lack money," said Eko.

The Jakarta Red Cross youths were from primary schools and junior and senior high schools from all five mayoralties in the city.

The organizers also donated clothes, books and stationery to 50 senior citizens and 50 foster children.

At the same time, a bazaar was held jointly by nearby Pasar Senen traders offering nine staple foods at low prices. (07)