Reaching the Seven Summits

Reaching the Seven Summits

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Dozens of trophies are left on the floor outside while
documents are stacked on a table on the terrace.

Three men, one of them shirtless, paint the inside room
while young women add documents to the stack.

They are members of Stacia, an organization for nature-loving
students of the Jakarta-based Muhammadiyah University (UMJ).

"This is an annual activity. We clean up and repaint the
office," said Desy Astuti, a student who acts as a public
relations officer for Stacia.

The word "stacia", which is Germanic, means "awakening". It
was named so as the students hoped apathy would turn to action
through the group.

Even spring cleaning is considered part of the "awakening"
spirit.

But far greater feats have been achieved by Stacia members.

For example, in 2001 three of its members -- Abdul Aziz,
Fadliq Al Iman and Rudi Harsono -- successfully climbed Mount
Kilimanjaro in Africa and reached the Uhuru Peak, which stands
5,895 meters (19,340 feet) above sea level.

One year later, Abdul Aziz and Rudi climbed Europe's highest
peak, Mount Elbrus, which stands 5,642 meters (18,540 ft) above
sea level.

The two peaks are among the so-termed seven summits of the
world.

"We have targeted to climb all seven summits. So, we still
have five summits to climb," Desy told The Jakarta Post.

The five other summits are Everest (Asia), Aconcagua (South
America), Carstensz Pyramide (Oceania), Denali (North America)
and Vinson (Antarctica).

For that reason, the organization requires its members to
maintain optimum levels of fitness, participating in field trips,
including caving expeditions.

Although the organization has a lofty dream, it
also practices social responsibility.

Stacia members often join clean-up campaigns, test the water
quality in dams around Jakarta and provide free circumcision for
boys from poor families.

Today, Stacia is focusing on the recruitment of new members.
During the recruitment process, students participate in basic
training sessions.

Joint training with other universities through the National
Jamboree of Muhammadiyah Universities is also held once in two
years.

Currently, there are four types of Stacia membership: regular
membership for UMJ students, extraordinary membership for UMJ
students that did not complete their studies, special membership
for UMJ graduates and honorary membership for those who have made
a contribution to Stacia.

As part of the recruitment process, new members must go on a
journey and seek sponsorship themselves. At the end of their
journey, they must file a report.

"We teach our members to learn and to build up the
organization. They must be able to convince other people and to
get sponsorship," Desy added.

With its smart approach to state leaders and to government
offices, Stacia members have successfully convinced donors to
support their activities.

The expedition to Kilimanjaro was made possible with financial
support from then president Abdurrahman Wahid and vice president
Megawati Soekarnoputri.

With their discipline and physical strength, it is just a
matter of time before Stacia members complete their seven summits
mission.