#NusantaRunUntukIndonesia is a Running Movement For A Better Indonesia

Written by: Rahajeng Kurniawati
Photo by: Muhammad Nu’manuddin

Last year was the 6th year for NusantaRun, with a route from Wonosobo to Gunungkidul. NusantaRun chapter 6 itself is divided into 2 categories, 169 KM Full Course & 83 KM Half Course, with 201 participants. Although this movement was started in Jakarta, the runners who participated in NusantaRun chapter 6 came from various cities in Indonesia, such as Jakarta, Jogja, Lombok, Bogor, Bekasi, Banten, Makassar, Pekanbaru, Balikpapan, Muara Teweh, Kudus, Ambon, Cilacap, Blitar, and Malang. The activity that carries the theme #PowerOfContribution takes place on 7-9 December 2018, with 3 pillars including: 1) strengthen the culture of contribution, because the runners must do the fundraising that will later be given to social foundations who are partners of our program; 2) our love for running and transmitting our love through this event; and 3) introducing iconic places in Indonesia by starting every chapter each year from different city.

Not only the runners, but the #PowerOfContribution spirit was also seen from 310 volunteers who participated to help the runners conquer the ferocious terrain with varying elevations. All of the checkpoint crews, motorcycle marshall, support team, running communities, medical team, and documentation team gave encouragement to the runners to be able to deliver a noble mission that had been donated by donors through kitabisa.com.

Not only that, the atmosphere of emotion colored the starting line, where SLB 01 Temanggung students led to sing Indonesian National Anthem “Indonesia Raya”. At half point, there were teachers from the Solo Learning Community and students from SD Karangwuni who ignited the spirit of the runners who carried the mission #PendidikanUntukSemua. When the runners made it to the finish line, the teachers from Komunitas Guru Belajar Solo along with students from SLBN Gunung Kidul gave cheering. They also gave handmade bracelets and flowers from recycled materials to runners. The enthusiasm and sincerity of these children made the runners feel touched.

With a donation target of Rp 2.5 billion, 100% of the donation proceeds will be channeled to development programs for children with long-term disabilities (at least 2 years), so that they get a proper education. In collaboration with Kampus Guru Cikal, it is expected that the results of the donation can be precisely targeted at building a support system for children with disabilities in Central Java and Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.
Mission #PendidikanUntukSemua is inspired by NusantaRun Chapter 4, seeing how children with disabilities study very hard, igniting the spirit of NusantaRun to be able to give more to them. Moreover, knowing the fact that as many as 45.74% of persons with disabilities have never received primary school education and only 51.2% of persons with disabilities work in the workforce, while the number of non-disabled persons is 70.40% (Source: FEB UI, 2016).

“Start and finish at home”, said the NusantaRun’s co-Founder Christopher Tobing when releasing runners at the starting line. Wishing all the runners to finish safely. Whatever the results achieved, the runners have offered the best to realize the mission #PendidikanUntukSemua for children with disabilities. In this chapter, starting on the mountain and finishing on the beach, all runners can see the hidden beauty of Indonesia that need not be doubted. There are still many areas that have not been reached and have access to proper education.

NusantaRun is a proof that good actions carried out hand in hand can have a big impact. Complete the #PendidikanUntukSemua mission is not only the obligation of the runners but also our shared obligation. The police have been involved since the start line, support from the government of Central Java and Yogyakarta, medical teams, and volunteers to ensure that runners can run safely.

The road is still long, there are still the next chapters that need more good people and concrete actions to contribute, as well as the strong mentality of the runners to conquer kilometer by kilometer for a better Indonesia!