"For You My Indonesia"

Posted: July 6, 2010   By: Holly Drake

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Some people say the best things in life are free, but for children in Indonesia, the best things in life may instead come in three.

Last year, OB Indonesia launched a new initiative called, “For You My Indonesia,” to bring science, health and educational opportunities to thousands of school children across the country who often have limited or no access to such resources.

Thanks to support from The United Way, BMW, and other partners, OB Indonesia is operating 3 hi-tech vans, each with a unique focus: one serving as a science lab, another as a computer lab and the third, a health clinic.

Equipped with microscopes and other technology, the mobile science lab allows students to do a variety of science experiments as well as study human anatomy.

The mobile health clinic provides children with medical and dental check-ups and teaches them about proper hygiene and health education.

And finally, the mobile hi-tech lab is equipped with 10 laptop computers and Internet access, giving children an opportunity to learn about computers and the Internet.

For 14-year-old Asep who lacks the finances to go to school, it was the first time he had ever touched a computer.

“I was very happy when I saw the vehicle arrive,” Asep said. “I never learned how to use a computer previously, so it was great.”

And students like Asep aren’t the only ones excited about the program.

According to OB staff, the Indonesia office has been flooded with requests from local governments and schools across Jakarta to bring the program to their communities.

So far, more than 44,000 children have benefited in the first year of this program.