A C I C I S

Becak-a-thon 2003

Wayang character Petruk. Photo by David Armstrong. The second annual 'Becak-a-thon' was organised in May 2003 by ACICIS students studying at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. It was aimed primarily at raising money for poor children in the Yogyakarta area. For a day, students pedalled people around in becaks (trishaws), in return for a donation. It is a very novel concept for fundraising in Indonesia, but was a huge success, with a total of $1,864.35 collected. We thank all those who donated, and especially those students who organised the event, in particular Jessie Cumming of Hobart in Tasmania.The donations have put the most beautiful smiles on the faces of hundreds of very grateful orphaned children throughout Yogyakarta. See photos here.

The money was distributed as follows

Project One: Street Youth

A direct donation was made to Humana Organisation, a program that assists street children in Yogyakarta. Humana Organisation and a Becak-a-thon committee member are currently in the process of purchasing goods, but are as yet to decide how the money can be most effectively spent. For further information please email lawzyjean@hotmail.com. Total Cost: $420.00

Project Two: Radio Station

Equipment was purchased for Yogyakarta's local community radio. This will allow a greater number of street youth in Yogyakarta to access current and relevant information. For more information on equipment purchased please email wsteve13@yahoo.com. Total Cost: $300.00

Project Three: Orphanages

With the donations the Becak-a-thon Committee was able to purchase goods for three Orphanages in Yogyakarta.

1. Yayasan Putra Bangsa (Timor-Timur), Bandung, Playen, Wonosari.

Item	No. of Items	Cost
Bath Towels	53	$199.40
Reading Books/Dictionaries	48	$86.00
Thongs	53	$36.30
Pens - Black, Red, Blue	216	$20.00
Pencils	80	$8.20
Soccer Balls	3	$26.90
Soap	188	$29.55
Exercise Books	125	$33.50
Female Sanitary Napkins	12 (packets)	$16.10
Tooth paste	24	$15.10
Toothbrushes	55	$21.20
Food Snacks	20 (packets)	$17.60
Total Cost		$509.85

2. Yayasan Sayap Ibu, Cabang Yogyakarta

Item	No. of Items	Cost
Bath Towels	10	$50.00
Rechargeable Lamps	4	$80.00
Total Cost		$130.00

3. Panti Asuhau Yatim Piatu Mabarrot, Yapitu, Pantul, Yogyakarta

Item	No. of Items	Cost
Thongs	50	$35.25
Pens - Black, Red, Blue	216	$20.00
Pencils	80	$8.20
Soccer Balls	4	$37.30
Soap	188	$29.55
Exercise Books	125	$33.50
Female Sanitary Napkins	12 (packets)	$16.10
Tooth paste	24	$15.10
Toothbrushes	55	$21.20
Food Snacks	20 (packets)	$17.60
Total Cost		$233.80

Project Four: Village Program

The following donations were made to Gading IX Village, Playen, Wonasari. Total Cost: $270.70.

Teaching Primary School Children - English, Math etc 1 month x 5 teachers (University Students) Cost: $30.00
Medicine for Babies Given to all 48 babies living within poverty stricken families in the Gading IX Village. This program was organized by University Atma Jaya, Yogyakarta. Cost: $50.00
Milk for Babies Given to all 48 babies living within poverty stricken families in Gading IX Village. Cost: $190.70