Reaching the Seven Summits<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Dozens of trophies are left on the floor outside while
\ndocuments are stacked on a table on the terrace.<\/p>\n
Three men, one of them shirtless, paint the inside room
\nwhile young women add documents to the stack.<\/p>\n
They are members of Stacia, an organization for nature-loving
\nstudents of the Jakarta-based Muhammadiyah University (UMJ).<\/p>\n
\"This is an annual activity. We clean up and repaint the
\noffice,\" said Desy Astuti, a student who acts as a public
\nrelations officer for Stacia.<\/p>\n
The word \"stacia\", which is Germanic, means \"awakening\". It
\nwas named so as the students hoped apathy would turn to action
\nthrough the group.<\/p>\n
Even spring cleaning is considered part of the \"awakening\"
\nspirit.<\/p>\n
But far greater feats have been achieved by Stacia members.<\/p>\n
For example, in 2001 three of its members -- Abdul Aziz,
\nFadliq Al Iman and Rudi Harsono -- successfully climbed Mount
\nKilimanjaro in Africa and reached the Uhuru Peak, which stands
\n5,895 meters (19,340 feet) above sea level.<\/p>\n
One year later, Abdul Aziz and Rudi climbed Europe's highest
\npeak, Mount Elbrus, which stands 5,642 meters (18,540 ft) above
\nsea level.<\/p>\n
The two peaks are among the so-termed seven summits of the
\nworld.<\/p>\n
\"We have targeted to climb all seven summits. So, we still
\nhave five summits to climb,\" Desy told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The five other summits are Everest (Asia), Aconcagua (South
\nAmerica), Carstensz Pyramide (Oceania), Denali (North America)
\nand Vinson (Antarctica).<\/p>\n
For that reason, the organization requires its members to
\nmaintain optimum levels of fitness, participating in field trips,
\nincluding caving expeditions.<\/p>\n
Although the organization has a lofty dream, it
\nalso practices social responsibility.<\/p>\n
Stacia members often join clean-up campaigns, test the water
\nquality in dams around Jakarta and provide free circumcision for
\nboys from poor families.<\/p>\n
Today, Stacia is focusing on the recruitment of new members.
\nDuring the recruitment process, students participate in basic
\ntraining sessions.<\/p>\n
Joint training with other universities through the National
\nJamboree of Muhammadiyah Universities is also held once in two
\nyears.<\/p>\n
Currently, there are four types of Stacia membership: regular
\nmembership for UMJ students, extraordinary membership for UMJ
\nstudents that did not complete their studies, special membership
\nfor UMJ graduates and honorary membership for those who have made
\na contribution to Stacia.<\/p>\n
As part of the recruitment process, new members must go on a
\njourney and seek sponsorship themselves. At the end of their
\njourney, they must file a report.<\/p>\n
\"We teach our members to learn and to build up the
\norganization. They must be able to convince other people and to
\nget sponsorship,\" Desy added.<\/p>\n
With its smart approach to state leaders and to government
\noffices, Stacia members have successfully convinced donors to
\nsupport their activities.<\/p>\n
The expedition to Kilimanjaro was made possible with financial
\nsupport from then president Abdurrahman Wahid and vice president
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
With their discipline and physical strength, it is just a
\nmatter of time before Stacia members complete their seven summits
\nmission.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reaching-the-seven-summits-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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