Thirsty libraries to get refreshment

JAKARTA (JP): PT Coca-Cola Indonesia launched a foundation on Thursday and committed itself to spend some Rp 5 billion (US$595,240) over three years to help improve 20 libraries across the country.

The Coca-Cola Foundation Indonesia was inaugurated by Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin at Regent Hotel in South Jakarta.

Chairman of the foundation's board of management Mugijanto said grants for the library development program would be used for providing books, improving library management and upgrading library facilities.

"We won't give cash, otherwise it (the program) would turn in to a completely mix-up," Mugijanto said after the launching.

He said the foundation would not use the program as a blatant vehicle to promote the company's products.

"It's true there won't be any logos or stickers placed, for example, in books (to be put in the library)," said Mugijanto, who was accompanied by former minister of education and foundation board member Fuad Hassan.

"Coca-Cola realizes that education is a fundamental way to help individuals reach their potential. That is the reason we have decided to focus our activities on education, in order to help Indonesian children gain knowledge and become productive citizens," he said.

Fuad added that the first stage of the aid to the 20 libraries -- the locations of which have yet to be specified -- would serve as a pilot project and pattern-setter for the entire program.

"With the grants, we hope that within a period of three years the selected libraries, be they state or privately run, can become financially independent and attract people in the neighborhood (to read)," he said.

Should the pilot project fail, the entire program will be halted, Fuad added.

With the help of two experts, including Adwityani S. Subagio from the Indonesian Library Club (KPI), the foundation has started surveying potential libraries to receive the grants, he said.

Grants like this from private companies, Fuad said, were badly needed by the country, which suffers from a lack of libraries and books.

"Out of some 110,000 schools in the country, only 18 percent have a library for their students. And out of 64,000 villages across the nation, only 22 percent have libraries," Fuad said.

He hoped that the books provided to the selected libraries would not be like school textbooks, but be do-it-yourself books in order to help children be more creative.

Minister Yahya said that he greatly appreciated the willingness of PT Coca-Cola Indonesia to share such a large amount of money to help the country's education development program.

Mugijanto said his company never provided grants for social activities based on potential revenue increases.

"It's our commitment. During the 1998 economic crisis, for instance, we still distributed some Rp 1 billion to help the community," he said. (09/bsr)