Scholarships for poor students

JAKARTA (JP): Cookie producer PT Nabisco Foods, in cooperation with the Jakarta chapter of the Islamic Alms Organization (Bazis), gave scholarships on Wednesday worth about Rp 120 million to 1,000 elementary students of poor families in the capital.

The money was symbolically presented by representatives of Nabisco and Bazis to students of state elementary school SDN No. 1 in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta.

The funds were collected by Nabisco and Bazis Jakarta from donations by the public and sales of food products.

Ginung Pratidina, coordinator of the fund raising, said the program was launched after discovering Ministry of Education and Culture data showing that nearly 20 percent of elementary school students in the capital could drop out because their parents could no longer afford education expenses.

"I hope other companies can follow PT Nabisco's initiative," he said.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, who was also present at the presentation ceremony, warmly welcomed PT Nabisco's initiative and urged other firms to do the same.

"I also urge PT Nabisco to improve its status by introducing a foster parent program for students receiving the scholarships," Sutiyoso was quoted by Antara as saying.(hhr)