AT&T Supports Project HOPE Foundation to Help Improve Quality of Maternal and Child Health Services in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced a contribution of US$25,000 (Indonesian Rupiah 219 million) to the Project HOPE Foundation to support its three-year Aceh Barat project in Indonesia. This initiative aims to reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality by improving access to quality maternal and child health services through the promotion of healthy behaviour at the community level.

Project HOPE, the People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc., is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 1958 and based in Millwood, Virginia. It aims to achieve sustainable advances in health care around the world by implementing health education programs and providing humanitarian assistance in areas of need. Project HOPE's presence in Indonesia began with the first voyage of the S.S. HOPE to Indonesia in 1960. In 1999, Project HOPE returned to Indonesia to conduct a dental hygiene and health program in Bali, and since then has helped support local communities.

AT&T has been supporting Project HOPE's Aceh Barat project in Indonesia since 2010. Access to healthcare service became even more challenging in Aceh Barat, Indonesia after the tsunami in 2004, due to the loss of healthcare staff and facilities. The project covers all villages of Kaway XVI and Pante Cermin sub-districts in Aceh Barat and helps to revitalize two health centers and six sub-health centers by providing basic medical equipment and staff training. The project directly benefits a population of about 15,017 new-borns, children and women with children under the age of five. Thus far, the project has already enhanced medical resources in all the villages of Kaway XVI and Pante Cermin and has provided training to more than 371 community health volunteers.  

"Project HOPE does fantastic work and makes a meaningful contribution in helping a large number of mothers and children in Indonesia to access better maternal and child health services," said Leni Vigo, country manager of AT&T Indonesia. "We are very proud to be able to support their work and I hope our contribution will help Project HOPE to continue improving the quality of life of children in Indonesia."

"AT&T has been a great supporter of our work, helping us to revitalize health facilities and resources in Indonesia. This support is more important than ever in providing increased community access to maternal child health services," said Dr. Nasaruddin Sheldon, MD, country director, Project HOPE Indonesia.

AT&T currently offers Virtual Private Network and other value-added data services to multinational companies who have locations in Indonesia in alliance with existing locally licensed Indonesian telecom operators.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Project HOPE

Founded in 1958, Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) is dedicated to providing lasting solutions to health crises, with the mission of helping people to help themselves. Identifiable to many by the SS HOPE, the world's first peacetime hospital ship, Project HOPE now conducts land-based medical training and health education programs in 35 countries across five continents.  

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2009, more than $155 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. 

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.