Sexy papayas earn cash for fire victims

JAKARTA: A pair of odd-shaped papayas resembling human genitalia have been on display in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, and not only has the exhibit drawn crowds, but also aid money for last week's fire victims.

As of Friday evening, a total of Rp 2.7 million (US$300) had been collected from paying spectators, Antara news agency reported on Saturday.

Sawah Besar resident, Catherine, discovered the misshapen papayas at a nearby market on Friday morning.

She showed them to her neighbors who later told others to go have a look.

A group of residents then decided to turn it into a commercial venture, and they put up the exhibit on one of the streets in the neighborhood and asked for donations to help the victims of the fire which took place on Sunday July 26 and left hundreds homeless.

"The visitors have been coming not just from around this area, but also from Bekasi, Tangerang and Depok," said Kasmani, one of the exhibit organizers.

"By Friday noon, we had recorded 2,300 visitors," she added. --JP