Scholarships for street children

BOGOR (JP): The West Java administration has allotted a total of Rp 66 million (US$9,165) to cover the school fees of 50 street children in Bogor for the next nine months.

"The 50 kids were selected out of 125 children being looked after by the Gesang Gosyari Foundation," Yanto, chairman of a foundation run by the administration, said.

The foundation, located on Blok A/9 No. 11 of Bogor Baru Housing complex, has been helping depreived children for the past five years.

Head of Bogor Prosecutors' Office Burhan Hamid handed over the money in a ceremony marking Women's Day on Wednesday at the Bogor municipality building.

"Many of the street kids are actually talented children. Here we try to help them and prevent them from throwing away their talents," Yanto said, adding that 60 of the foundation's students are now living independently.

Since the economic crisis in 1997, the amount (of children seeking shelter at the foundation) has rapidly increased while the funds to support them to continue their studies have not been available, he said.

"Hopefully, donations will keep pouring in." (24/edt)