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.