Street children to get a dorm

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday his administration planned to build dormitories on six hectares of land in Ciangir, Tangerang, to house up to 8,158 street children.

"The administration will also provide them with education and training so they can stand on their own feet in the future," he said, adding that the Rp 60 billion (US$7 million) project would begin early next year.

Sutiyoso also said a joint project with the United Nations Children's Fund and local organizations including the National Commission on Child Protection would soon be launched to help protect children from exploitation.

Syarifuddin Mahfudz, head of the City Social Welfare Agency, said the city would send 500 street children to 36 Islamic boarding schools in Greater Jakarta to allow the children to receive an education. -- JP