Bill Gates Foundation Donates US$12mn for Indonesian Libraries
26 October 2015 21:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) is giving US$12 million (Rp163.7 billion) to develop public libraries in Indonesian areas that are IT-based learning centers. The financial assistance will be given through the Coca-Cola Foundation Indonesia (CCFI).
Christopher Elias, president of global development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said that with the availability of fast Internet access, public libraries will have the capacity to provide a variety of programs that can help improve people's lives.
"By presenting a variety of information that are in accordance with the people's needs, this program can help improve the welfare of those using library services," Chris spoke in a press conference held at the at Dharmawangsa Hotel in Jakarta today, October 26, as reported by Bisnis Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Coca Cola Foundation Indonesia's chairwoman Titie Sadarini said that PerpuSeru—a program to make use of public libraries to help empower and smarten people—will continue to partner with national and regional libraries in a bid to expand the functions of libraries in Indonesia.
The PerpuSeru Program began in 2011, and has successfully transformed 118 public libraries in 34 districts and 84 villages in 16 provinces.
With BMGF's donation, it is expected that 550 libraries in 99 districts and 451 villages can transform into community learning centers that maximizes on the use of technology.
BISNIS | RR