Standard Chartered Bank provided aid worth Rp. 2.4 billion for the repair, renovation and reconstruction of the five schools located in Bantul Regency and Gunungkidul Regency through the Sampoerna Foundation. The five elementary schools assisted are: SDN 1 Donotirto Bantul, SDN Ngentak Bantul, SDN 1 Banyusoco Gunungkidul, SDN Duwet Gunungkidul, and SDN 2 Patuk. With the completion of the rehabilitation of the school buildings, around 700 students are now ready to return to their studies in optimal learning conditions.

During the transfer/presentation ceremony, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Indonesia, Simon Morris, said:

“The earthquake hit Yogyakarta two years ago, and although much has been done, there is still a lot of rehabilitation to do to ensure the improvement of the quality of education in the region. This year marks the 145th anniversary of  Standard Chartered Bank’s presence in  Indonesia, and we have a strong commitment to act as an appropriate partner for all stakeholders in the education sector in Indonesia. One of our expectations is that Standard Chartered Bank can set an example for others on how to improve the living conditions in communities through CSR programs and activities, particularly those aimed at creating a better future for the children of Indonesia through quality education.”

The high cost of construction in the post earthquake period made private sector assistance important for the government’s rehabilitation efforts, explained Deputy Regent of Bantul, H. Sumarno.

“Rehabilitation would have been impossible for the government to accomplish without the assistance of various other parties. Losses in the education sector caused by the earthquake were massive. As many as 638 schools were damaged or destroyed in Bantul and Gunungkidul regencies. For that reason, collaboration among the government, public and business sectors was an imperative strategic step toward improving the situation in education in the wake of the disaster. That is why we are so grateful to Standard Chartered Bank for all of its attention to the needs of the people in this region and for the assistance of Sampoerna Foundation in channeling the funds.”

Besides assisting with the school renovation program, Standard Chartered Bank, in March 2008, also provided scholarships for 500 elementary and junior high school students, as well as assisting college students who victims of the D.I. Yogyakarta earthquake. These scholarships will cover a period of three to four years for each student.

Upon the same occasion, President of Sampoerna Foundation, Ron Perkinson, commented that:
“The rehabilitation of the education sector requires a continuous and sustainable process in order to achieve optimal results. This initiative Insiatif of Standard Chartered Bank is a significant step toward improving the quality of education in Yogyakarta. For this reason, we at Sampoerna Foundation are very grateful for the confidence Standard Chartered Bank has placed in us as its partner in channeling the assistance funds.”

During their visits to Yogyakarta that day, the representatives of Standard Chartered Bank and Sampoerna Foundation also held a discussion forum titled “CSR & Business Sustainability” at Gajah Mada University. This event was attended by students from the Management Masters Degree Program at the School of Economics and Business at Gajah Mada University, as well as student recipients of Standard Chartered Bank scholarships. The speakers for the discussion were Simon Morris - Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Indonesia, Rizal Algamar – Manager of Partner Relations from Sampoerna Foundation, and Hargo Utomo - Director of the Masters Degree Program at the School of Economics and Business at Gajah Mada University.