Worms affect thousands of kids

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: About 11,000 or 4.7 percent of 251,000 children in Sikka regency have worms, which frequently causes malnutrition and diarrhea.

Director of Bina Mandiri Foundation Lourensius described the importance of educating the public and particularly children about hygiene and the use of toilets. In cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), Bina Mandiri has built 200 toilets in Talebura district since last year. This year, it will build 200 toilets in Bola village, Sikka regency.

He said 77 percent of households in the rural areas of the regency do not have toilets or bathrooms. The regency's population is 205,800, many of whom are undernourished. Almost 7,000 babies were recently found to be suffering from malnutrition, with 264 severe cases. (yac)