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

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.