Sport enthusiasts surprised by camels
JAKARTA (JP): Scores of regular sports enthusiasts who utilize the deserted major thoroughfare of Jl. Thamrin for morning exercises on weekends saw a definitely different scene on Sunday.
They were stunned by the appearance of more than 1,000 people, including dozens of disabled in their wheel chairs taking part in a leisurely walk with camels. There was also a parade of band groups, including a band of six blind people, and a lap-sit performance.
Usually, the sports lovers, including expatriates and residents living far away from the area, spend their morning hours on Sundays jogging, cycling and walking in the fast lane.
Vehicles are prohibited from the street and nearby Jl. Sudirman until 8 a.m.
The Sunday event titled Lions-OBI Camel Walk 2000 turned into unexpected entertainment for the sports enthusiasts.
Children and adults were happy to witness the parade and see the camels, borrowed from the Taman Safari park in Ciasarua, West Jakarta, for free.
But the camels apparently scared some of the kids.
"Don't cry, they're just camels," a father told his terrified two-years-old daughter, who burst into tears as the camels approached.
The parade was led by personnel of the Customs and Excise marching band.
The event was organized by the outdoor management training specialist Outward Bound Indonesia (OBI) in cooperation with Lions Club Indonesia and the Indonesian Association of Disabled People (PPCI).
Its goal was to raise funds and public awareness of the need to provide accessibility for disabled people and the elderly in Jakarta.
First Lady Sinta Nuriyah, who uses a wheel chair, and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and Poverty Eradication Basri Hasanuddin, took their time on that weekend morning to mark the start of the parade at the Bank Indonesia traffic circle near Monas park in Central Jakarta.
According to Djoko Kusumowidagdo, one of the organizers, OBI and its two counterparts of the event have committed to distribute all of the net profits in the walk to humanitarian projects.
"We've designated 90 percent of the net profit to construct ramps for disabled people with wheel chairs going to the Istiqlal Grand Mosque and the nearby Cathedral," he told reporters.
The remaining 10 percent, Djoko added, is intended for cataract surgery for the less-fortunate people.
"We have collected more than Rp 100 million in donations and sponsorships" he said.
"I expected that we could collect more than Rp 50 million of net profit to help finance our two humanitarian projects," he added.
Soetadi Martodihardjo of Lions Club Indonesia said its branches had carried out cheap cataract surgery for more than 52,000 people.
"Actually, we want to do the surgery for free, but the government doesn't allow us to do so, I don't know why," he said.
His organization charges patients between Rp 150,000 and Rp 200,000 per surgery compared to hospitals which charge patients Rp 1.5 million to Rp 4.5 million for similar treatment.
After the walk, 170 participants, including the blind, performed a lap-sit where they formed a circle and sit on the laps of those standing behind them.
The group started with 45 people and grew bigger before reaching the final number.
The performance led them to receive a certificate from the Semarang-based Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) for the lap- sit achievement.
"Today's attempt is the first of its kind ever tried here," Djoko said.
"I'm glad we can call the day a success," he added, before entering the stage to receive the MURI certificate.
The street presented morning sports enthusiasts with another a rare view: patrolling police officers on bicycles.
Attired in blue shirts and white pants, the officers -- each grouped in a team of three -- pedaled back and forth along the street. (nvn)