E-mail list involves young professionals in travel, adventure and charitable acts

A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

It's a rare view, or an event. A group of young Jakartan professionals were busy packaging various kinds of foodstuffs in plastic bags, wiping away the sweat from their brows with the backs of their hands.

But no one was complaining as they noisily joked with each other while preparing the meals, which were to be distributed for breaking the fast among 100 students of poor families attending the Khairul Uswah kindergarten and elementary school in a slum neighborhood in Petamburan, Central Jakarta.

The professionals, who work for leading banking and entertainment firms, including Permata Bank, Bank BCA, EMI Music and Adidas, and come from various backgrounds -- Muslims, Chinese-Indonesians, Christians, Bataks and Javanese -- are united by the e-mail list http:groups.yahoo.com/group/jalanmelulu (jalan melulu means traveling all the time).

And true to its name, the group consists of a bunch of active individuals. Providing meals for deprived children is just one of the many travel and social activities undertaken done by the group.

The members of the loose grouping, which was set up last year, have visited Ujung Kulon National Park and Bali, they have also climbed Halimun Mountain and visited the Badui community in Banten province.

Sometimes, members of the group simply call one another up, have dinner together or make impromptu visits to amusing places in Jakarta, such as the National Monument (Monas) in the center of Jakarta. Any travel proposals could come up from the gathering and they will suddenly go to where the wind blows.

The group has no formal membership structure. Those interested in joining can apply for membership by e-mail.

There are no strings or ties involved. Members can either skip or participate in the visits or meetings arranged by the group. This is a distinct advantage. The young professionals can choose which visits suit them best.

Lilik Feriadi or Feri, and Jonny Riyanto, the founders of the e-mail list, collect proposals and, based on the wishes of the majority, decide where the group will visit. They will also organize travel itineraries, including collecting money for accommodation, bus travel and food. Even Feri and Jonny, both of whom are bank employees, have to pay their own share for trips. For them, the additional work of organizing itineraries is tiring but so far mentally rewarding.

With at least 300 members, the e-mail list is just one of a growing number of e-mail lists providing opportunities for young Jakartan professionals to travel, socialize and help the disadvantaged. The two other e-mail lists that have large numbers of members are arungjeram_jakartabiz@yahoogroups.com and Nature Trekker Indonesia, which specializes in rafting and other outdoor activities.

The activities organized by jalan-jalan melulu provide a welcome break for young Jakartans. "Anyone can join us. We travel together and have fun," said Feri, adding that this is also a good way to find a soul mate.