Social solidarity

Social solidarity

From Suara Karya

Social solidarity is still around. I am very proud of its presence when materialism, competition and unemployment are so dominant in our society. Strong social solidarity can be seen from the sizable contributions for the victims of the earthquake in Jambi, Sumatra. Such concerted action is comparable to the National Family Planning Program, the Adoptive Parents Movement, the Healthy Life Program and now the National Discipline Movement.

All this makes me think that a national poverty alleviation movement should be initiated by the middle and upper class to help the poor, orphans, old and homeless lead a normal life. After all, they are our brothers and sisters. They should not live as if they were colonized by their fellow countrymen.

I am saddened by the news that 200 orphans in the Nurul Iman orphanage in Banda Aceh are struck by paralysis and goiter due to lack of food (Suara Karya, Sept. 29).

I appreciate and support the readiness of some big businesses to set up a fund to help the weak. This will be more effective if the effort is not made by only one group. It should be launched on a national scale in order to obtain optimal results.

SRI WAHYUNI

Bandung, West Java