The poor contribute Rp 16.7m for books

YOGYAKARTA: Dozens of poor families in Duwet, Gunungkidul regency, have collected some Rp 16.7 million since 1999 to provide reference books for the students of a state elementary school.

These families, mostly farmers and vegetable vendors along with Global Education Partnership (GEP) -- an American-based non- governmental organization -- will also help the school provide chairs, desks, blackboards, stationery and other educational facilities.

GEP Indonesia division director of educational resources development program Wuri Hartono said that the families had contributed half of 3,623 books purchased.

"Most of the families here are farmers who also become vegetable vendors during the dry season when the fields are hard to cultivate. They put aside some of their earnings because they know that their children's future lies in education," she said. --JP