Rich should help poor children

Rich should help poor children

SEMARANG: Wealthy people should help the poor and neglected
children that roam major city streets, especially in Java, a
social observer said yesterday.

Diponegoro University's Soewono said that the number of poor
and neglected children is rising and that the rich could help
ease the problem.

"Problems facing children, such as those who make a living as
shoe polishers and newspaper hawkers, are not only economic but a
result of rapid population growth," he said.

In a seminar held in conjunction with National Children's Day
yesterday, Soewono said that the street children usually come
from broken families. They have to make a living without their
parents or relatives to supervise them, he said.

"Tragically, they (children) are often accused of involvement
in crimes. They complain they often receive unfair treatment from
officials in charge of security and public order," he said. (har)