Armando Siahaan

The last walkathon took place in 2007 and attracted about 3,000 walkers. (Photos from Hope Worldwide Indonesia)

Jakarta Walkathon to Help Needy Kids

The streets between Monas park and the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle are expected to be filled with thousands of walkers on Sunday August 2. There are no plans to stage a mass demonstration, rather, those present will be taking part in a sponsored walk to help others less fortunate.

Organized by Hope Worldwide Indonesia, a five-kilometer walkathon is scheduled for Sunday as a fund-raiser for underprivileged children.

“The walkathon is part of celebrations for the National Children’s Day on July 23,” said Siti Susana, the community development program manager for Hope Worldwide Indonesia.

The charity hopes to get as many as 5,000 people involved in the event.

“So far, we already have more than 2,000 registered participants,” Siti said on Friday. “Between 1,000 and 1,500 of the registered volunteers are regulars of our walkathons.”

The group’s last walkathon, held in 2007, attracted approximately 3,000 participants. Siti said participants this time could either donate Rp 50,000 ($5) or seek sponsors for a fund-raising team.

In keeping with the National Children’s Day celebration, children are being encouraged to join this year. “We’re not only asking adults to raise funds for us,” Siti said. “We encourage kids to be in the fund-raising teams.”

Any child who collects pledges of Rp 500,000 or more will receive a passport that will allow them privileges and discounts during a bazaar planned for after the walkathon.

The walk will start and end at Monas in Central Jakarta, with participants walking to and around the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle before making their way back to the national monument.

“The Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs, Adhyaksa Dault, will give an opening speech, and the walkathon will start at 6:30 a.m.,” Siti said, adding that they expected “most of the volunteers to reach the finish line within two hours.”

Organizers are also trying to inform people about nutrition, and so will be providing free milk for 2,000 children, as well as selling sembako (nine kinds of basic needs in Indonesia) at lower-than-market prices.

There will also be entertainment from bands, including pop-group Warna, and DJ performances by high school students.

Hope Indonesia held its first walkathon on July 28, 1996, when 300 walkers raised funds to build an orphanage. Through that event, Hope Indonesia established Pelangi Kasih (Rainbow of Love) Orphanage in Bogor, which provides shelter to more than 120 abandoned children.

In 2007, the nongovernmental organization initiated a five-year campaign called “We Are the Future,” to assist one million Indonesian children by providing proper education and health services.

“We’re aiming to collect Rp 500 million within this period,” Siti said, adding that the organization’s annual report in April showed about 600,000 children had already benefited from the campaign.

As part of this latest campaign, the organization has opened orphanages, a medical center and a computer training center for unemployed youth, Siti said.

“By holding this marathon, we’re reminding volunteers that we have to achieve the campaign target together. We can only do it with their help.”

Walkathon

Monas-Hotel Indonesia traffic circle-Monas
6 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

Contact Katerina Sinaga for more on 021 6009091
Or see events on hopeindonesia.org

For fundraising information e-mail: susan@hopeindonesia.org

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