RI-US program for street urchins

AMBON, Maluku: The Indonesian Christian University is hoping to cooperate with a United States non-governmental organization to develop programs to assist street children, Antara reported yesterday.

Rector M.K.J. Norimarna said here yesterday that Ambon has recently seen a surge in the number of children roaming the streets. The condition could create social problems unless it's handled well, he said.

"Many of the children are quite intelligent, but they are neglected, are sick, or have to work for a living, so of course their development will be affected," he said.

Some official data put the figure of street children as high as 2 million. (swe)