The poor contribute Rp 16.7m for books

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