Year 2006 data from the Central Bureau of Statistics shows that only 3.3 % of all Indonesian citizens get a chance to study at higher education institutions. Moreover, data by the Ministry of National Education shows that during the academic year of 2006/2007 a total of 1,039,067 school-age children are forced to drop out of school. In addition to the burdens caused by financial hardships, these depressing circumstances are made worse by the multi-dimensional crisis which arose in the country, along with the many natural disasters of the past several years.

Aware of the complexity of the education sector’s problems has led SF and HEMA to join forces to lend the government a hand in tackling the situation. The first idea of the “Support Our Children” program is to invite the public at large to contribute towards Indonesia’s education sector by making donations for Indonesian children.

SF and HEMA believe that Jakarta and its surrounding areas does significant number of people with an interest in supporting Indonesia’s education system. Unfortunately, it is difficult to overlook the fact that busy schedules and the demands of work often do not allow these potential donators to inform themselves and take action on the right donation platform.

Hence, SF and HEMA are now making it easier for potential donors to make their contributions. Information regarding “Support Our Children” can be read at each table of HEMA restaurant, which has been operating since 2000. According to Ratna Safitri Umar, owner of Hema Dutch Restaurant “Through the program we hope to be able to accomodate HEMA’s customers’ willingness to “help those in need”.

Mr. Rizal Algamar, Partner Relations Manager of Sampoerna Foundation, supported Ms. Ratna’s statement saying “We are well aware that Sampoerna Foundation, and HEMA, cannot work alone in improving access toward education in Indonesia. There needs to be more support from the public. Yet, as we all know, Jakarta residents are generally modern-minded and sceptical people and demand practical ways of making donations and also demand that those organizations administering the programs should be accountable and transparent.

About HEMA Dutch Resto

HEMA is restaurant with a dutch eatery concept. To bring its customers an authentic ambience resembling a dining experience in the country famous for its windmils, aside from authentic dutch cuisine, the restaurants architecture, interior design, and music support in achieving such an ambience. With resonable priced menu items, HEMA offers a wide range of dishes that are a combination of dutch and international cuisine. Macaroni Schotel, Hutspot, Gehaktball, Pannekoek, Poffertjes are just a few of the tasty foods available. HEMA has opened up six branches located Kemang Pratama, Lippo Cikarang, Kebayoran Baru, TIS Square, the Embassy of the Nethelands, and Bekasi Square.

About Sampoerna Foundation

Sampoerna Foundation (SF) is a professional philanthropic organization dedicated to create competent leaders with good moral fiber through high value quality education. In the fourth quarter of 2007, Sampoerna Foundation received ISO 9000, an international certification for its quality management systems. To this date SF has awarded more than 30,000 scholarships to financially deserving students with good academic records at the elementary level all the way up to the graduate school level.