Yogyakarta, October 30, 2007. Bantul Regency Administration, Yogyakarta, has received € 150,000 or Rp.2 billion in assistance from Deutsche Bank, channeled through the Sampoerna Foundation, for the reconstruction of the SMPN 3 Jetis Junior High School Building that was damaged during an earthquake. The new building was dedicated by Sapto H. Sakti, Communication Director for Sampoerna Foundation, with the Deputy Regent of Bantul, Sumarno, on hand to witness the event (10/30).
The assistance from Deutsche Bank covered reconstruction of 9 damaged classrooms, the construction of a gateway for the school compound, the development of a parade grounds, landscaping, and the provision of benches for the school yard, as well as tables/desks and blackboards for the classrooms, and 2 toilets, one for the girls and one for the boys.
Deputy Regent for Bantul, Sumarno, said during his speech that assistance from the private sector was key to rehabilitating the education sector in Bantul after the earthquake. ”We are very grateful to Deutsche Bank for its concern for the rehabilitation of the education sector in Bantul. Hopefully more and more private sector companies will also become concerned about the situation of education in Bantul,” said Sumarno.
Sapto H. Sakti said that the post-earthquake rehabilitation of the education sector in Yogyakarta was a continuing process that required continued support. ”Even though the Yogya earthquake happened more than a year ago, the process of rehabilitation in the education sector must keep moving. For that reason, initiatives like that of the Deutsche Bank are very important steps toward sustainability of education in Yogyakarta. Sampoerna Foundation is also very grateful for the trust Deutsche Bank has placed in us as its partner is distributing the funds,” Sapto continued.
Based on data from The Planning Section of the Yogyakarta Education Agency, up to September 2007 the reconstruction and repair of schools damaged in the earthquake had reached 90%, with funding coming from the state budget, and assistance from NGOs and private sector enterprises.
Besides assisting with the reconstruction of schools in Yogyakarta, Deutsche Bank, through the Sampoerna Foundation, has provided assistance of € 195,000 or Rp.2.5 billion to the Teacher Education Training in Aceh (TETA) program.
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