OBI to raise attention, funds for disabled people
OBI to raise attention, funds for disabled people
JAKARTA (JP): In a campaign to raise funds for and attention
to the plight of the city's disabled and elderly, outdoor
management training specialist Outward Bound Indonesia (OBI) will
hold a leisurely walk with camels, titled Lions-OBI Camel Walk
2000, on Sunday.
The event will be held in cooperation with international
organization Lions Club Indonesia and the Indonesian Association
of Disabled People (PPCI).
"We want Jakarta to be friendlier toward its disabled people
and the elderly by providing more accessible facilities in public
areas," deputy chairman of the organizing committee Djoko
Kusumowidagdo told The Jakarta Post recently.
"Indonesia already has Law No. 4/1997 on Disabled People.
Jakarta also has Gubernatorial Decree No. 66/1981 which regulates
the provision of facilities for disabled people in public
buildings," he said in a written statement.
Despite the regulations, Djoko said, many of the city's
residents still lacked awareness of the problems of disabled
people and the elderly.
First Lady Sinta Nuriyah and several Cabinet ministers are
expected to join the leisurely walk with the camels, which will
be borrowed from Taman Safari in Cisarua, West Java. Some
disabled and elderly people will also take part in the walk.
The walk will start from the Bank Indonesia traffic circle on
Jl. M.H. Thamrin in Central Jakarta at 6 a.m.
"The participants will walk along Jl. M.H. Thamrin in Central
Jakarta to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, also in Central
Jakarta, before returning to the point of departure. We expect
more than 2,000 participants to show up on Sunday," said Djoko.
"Residents who want to take part in the event will be charged
a Rp 25,000 (US$2.90) fee to cover the expenses of a polo shirt
and breakfast," he added, while citing that the committee also
welcomed sponsorships and contributions for the event.
The event, held to commemorate OBI's 10th anniversary, will
also be highlighted by an effort to break the national record for
lap-sitting, where as many people as possible create a circle by
sitting on each other's laps while holding onto the person in
front.
The event will also feature the Customs and Excise marching
band and several artists.
Djoko revealed that all profits would go to charity for
disabled people and the elderly.
"We will designate 90 percent of the profits to provide better
accessibility for disabled people in Istiqlal Grand Mosque and
nearby Jakarta Cathedral in cooperation with PPCI," he said.
"While the remaining 10 percent will be used to hold cataract
operations for the less fortunate, to be organized by the Lions
Club Indonesia," he added. (nvn)