WVI Foundation donates to orphanages

JAKARTA (JP): The World Vision Indonesia (WVI) Foundation donated equipment worth Rp 150 million (US$58,000) to orphanages throughout Greater Jakarta yesterday.

The donation, given in conjunction with the commemoration of national Children's Day yesterday, was handed over by Minister of Social Services Endang Kusuma Inten Suweno at a Children's Day celebration in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta. The ceremony was also attended by Vice President Try Sutrisno and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas.

The donation was handed over by Inten in the form of eyeglasses to Nadi Effendi, 12. The donation consisted of 1,000 pairs of eyeglasses, 1,500 sets of school utensils, 100 Webster's New World dictionaries and equipment for physically handicapped children.

"Eyes are windows for information and knowledge. With this donation we expect to help children who face difficulties in their studies, due to sight defects, develop more optimally," said James L. Tumbuan, director of the WVI foundation.

WVI, with cooperation from the Ministry of Social Services' city office, the Jakarta Eye Center, Hoya lens producer and other institutions, gives free eye checkups to orphans and sponsored the procurement of lenses for the 1,000 glass frames to be distributed.

"This donation is part of WVI's total contribution, which includes garments for children in Irian Jaya and the sponsorship of a sports and arts event in Semarang, Central Java," James said.

WVI, a humanity institution in charge of helping improve the welfare of children of poor families, is currently helping 46,000 children throughout the country through 200 community development projects. (hhr)