World Vision of International reorganizes local branch
World Vision of International reorganizes local branch
JAKARTA (JP): World Vision International reorganized its Indonesian branch yesterday, a move that will allow it to receive foreign aid and raise funds at home to help the needy in the country.
The Christian non-governmental organization that started its charity and education mission in the country in 1960 was renamed Yayasan World Vision Indonesia.
Its executive board members are Anugrah Pekerti, Eka Dharmaputera, Nafsiah Mboi, Maj. Gen. (ret) Sarwono and Christianto Wibisono.
James Tumbuan, a co-founder of the foundation, said the foundation can now receive foreign assistance and raise funds to support its charity missions in education, community development and aid relief for natural disaster victims.
"From now on, we can raise funds from local donors and we're independent to design our own programs," he said.
According to a government regulation of 1980 on fund raising, only local NGOs are allowed to organize fundraising projects for social purposes.
He said the foundation is carrying out a number of community development projects in the eastern part of the country which are financed with foreign aid.
Tri Hadi, a former associate director, said that a large portion of their foreign aid comes from the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan and that much has gone toward helping natural disaster victims.
He said the foundation will continue to be supported by World Vision International.
The organization gave a total of US$400,000 to the 1992 earthquake victims in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, US$70,000 for tsunami victims in Banyuwangi, East Java, in June 1994 and US$40,000 to earthquake victims in Liwa, Lampung, in February last year.
Communication Manager Hendro Suwito said the social organization also has a mail department dealing with foreign sponsorship for local students.
"The mail department receives about 100 letters from foreign sponsors everyday," he said, adding that the department handles a total of 45,000 school-age children from low-income families. (rms)