Sponsorship update: total raised to date Rp308 Million or a touch over US$23,000

Becakterus would like to thank the following beautiful folks/companies for kindly agreeing to donate to the chosen charities as 'Bronze Sponsors' of the Sumatra Charity Ride. Rp58 Million raised as Bronze Sponsors so far. Thank you.

To the St David's Society here in Jakarta, thank you for agreeing to come onboard as a Bronze Sponsor at Rp10 million. Malcolm and Janey Llewellyn, thank you very much.

Again, to Malcolm at Numada Consulting, thank you. Awesomeness personified, Mr Llewellyn. Rp10 Million.

To Augur Resources, Norm and Peter down in Sydney, and of course to Justin Werner, thank you all for your great support, Rp10 million to our charities.

My special thanks to Ground Risk Management, and Simon Ballantyne. Thank you Simon for Rp13 million in sponsorship.



A big thanks to Mr Dave Carswell also coming in at Rp10 million. Brilliant stuff, thank you Dave. Also to Dan and Dessy for your kind donation of Rp5 million. Many thanks to you all.

Yayasan Puspita - all about us

Yayasan Puspita (Puspita Foundation) was established in 2000 as a volunteer-run organization to assist underprivileged and marginalized youth to enjoy their fundamental rights as children. 

At its shelter in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, (pictured above) and also at its boarding school campus in Pasir Angin (photo below) Puspita provides a safe and supportive environment for dozens of economically deprived children who would otherwise have little or no chance of receiving an education beyond primary school.

Puspita provides them with the opportunity to go to school, as well as learning vocational and other life skills, in an atmosphere that differs from more traditional learning styles, by actively encouraging analytical thinking and creativity.  

Puspita has improved the lives of hundreds of children who have received assistance from the Foundation over the years. Dozens of children, who would otherwise have dropped out after primary school, have successfully graduated from high school, and are today either working in the private sector or else running their own small businesses. Several Puspita alumni are today studying for university degrees in teaching, communications, and graphic design. The photo below shows Puspita alumni, Nia, who volunteers her time to teach younger children while also studying at university to be a maths teacher.

Platinum Sponsor - ICAP

I am delighted to announce our first Platinum Sponsor of the Sumatra Charity Becak Ride. 

John Su, you are amazing my friend, and I can't thank you enough for taking the fund raising process and giving it the best possible start! Wonderful support. Thank you.

To ICAP world-wide, specifically the team in Jakarta, and of course Mr. John Su, thank you so much for backing becakterus to the tune of Rp250 Million. 

That figure at today's exchange rate is approximately US$19,000 - and is set to change the course of many lives, and perhaps many more not yet born. 

Thank you so much. 

Becakterus  

Yayasan Cheshire Indonesia – all about us

Popularly known as ‘Wisma Cheshire’, www.wismacheshire.com the yayasan, registered charity, was established in 1974 based in Cilandak, South Jakarta. It offers residential, vocational training programmes for people with disabilities (PWD). In addition to providing care for a number of residents, we offer scholarships for those with disabilities from the community at large who wish to study for self-improvement and independence.

The ethos at Wisma Cheshire is to equip PWD to gain the skills and confidence to become assimilated assets to society, as self-sufficient as they can be; to gain self-respect, celebrating proud achievements, not becoming objects of pity. Vocational training is available in carpentry, handicraft, sewing and tailoring, basic administration and IT skills, all of which can be harnessed toward the goal of financial independence.

The ‘Young Voices’ project launched in 2011 aims to empower 16 - 25 year olds with disabilities (YWD) to raise their profile and speak up for themselves, to design legislation affecting them instead of remaining excluded and marginalized. It was initially backed by EU funding until 2013 and subsequently self supported, it has several groups, providing them with training on the United Nations’ Convention on Rights for Persons with Disabilities, to equip them with the knowledge to push through the implementation of the UNCRPD and related policy development in Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more at www.youngvoices.lcdisability.org

Yayasan Wisma Cheshire is funded entirely from contributions from individuals and businesses in Jakarta. A portion of YWC operating costs is recovered through the sale of woodwork and handicraft items made by residents.

YWC is affiliated by name and philosophy to Leonard Cheshire Disability, UK’s leading charity supporting disabled people, operating in UK and 54 countries around the world, supporting thousands of people with physical and learning disabilities to fulfil their potential and live the lives they choose.

Wisma Cheshire are grateful to their staff and the many volunteers who contribute their time freely, working towards our ideal: a society in which every person is equally valued.

London to Moscow, via Mount Everest

The challenge is to pedal my 3-wheel becak almost as far as driving a car (measured on Google Earth) from London to Moscow, or driving to the Western-most Turkish border from the Port de Calais. 

Using the same e-mapping source, the elevation climb will be equivalent to starting at sea level, climbing to the top of Mount Everest, returning back to the sun-lounger on the beach, and then repeating the summit climb 3 more times. As I plan to record my distance and elevation in real time, we will be able to see how accurate the measurements are.

And, as far as we know this will be the first time anyone has attempted to pedal a becak the length of Sumatra - the 6th largest island in the world. It will take me through 8 provinces: starting in Aceh, on to North Sumatra, through Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, Lampung, and finally across the Sunda Straits to Java and into Jakarta via Banten. 

The challenge will take me through the main urban cities in Sumatra; Medan, Pekanbaru, Jambi, Palembang and Bandar Lampung (so great exposure for any supporting corporate), as well as some lonely stretches (perhaps a little less exposure). It goes without saying, I'll get to soak up some amazing scenery, as well as my fair share of heat, humidity and hills, but hopefully not too much smoke from the forest fires that are prevalent at this time of year.

As stated in an earlier post, my goal is to raise as much awareness and as much funds as possible for 4 charity organisations in Indonesia. I believe we can deliver a positive experience for any company that decides to get involved. The 4 yayasans we will be raising funds for are:

YCAB: focus on youth development via education, economic assistance and welfare creation. Aim to help under-privileged develop independence by becoming self-providing in adult life www.ycabfoundation.org

MCK: assists children from financially disadvantaged families by giving them access to medical treatment & help them go through a difficult time with dignity www.maryscancerkiddies.org

Wisma Cheshire: provide a home for those with disabilities and whose families are unable to care for them. Offer vocational training so residents one day can become financially independent www.wismacheshire.com

Puspita: assists underprivileged and marginalized youth to enjoy their fundamental rights as children. Puspita also provides a shelter home for street children https://id-id.facebook.com/sahabatanakpuspita

Please note all expenses will be out of my own pocket, so every rupiah donated will go direct to the charities. The corporate sponsorship levels and the associated marketing benefits are listed below. Please also note the sponsor decides which yayasan (or combination of) they wish to place their donation with.

Sponsorship levels ~ Banda Aceh to Jakarta by Becak

All funds sponsored will go direct to your nominated yayasan/charity. You determine how to best to put your generous funds to use.

Platinum Sponsor – Rp250,000,000

1. Naming rights over entire challenge '[company name] Trans-Sumatra by Becak'

2. Company logo displayed front and centre on my t-shirt and logo placed on the Becak and support car

3. Company logo incorporated on flyers, posters and related promotional advertisements

4. Company logo on media backdrop & identified as platinum sponsor

5. Company logo on press release

6. Company logo on ‘Trans-Sumatra by Becak’ blog/website - hyperlinked to your own site

7. Company thanked publicly by myself at the start and finish press conferences

8. Company logo on Facebook and acknowledgement via Twitter

Gold Sponsor – Rp80,000,000

1. Company logo displayed on front of t-shirt and logo placed on the Becak and support car

2. Company logo incorporated on flyers, posters and related promotional advertisements

3. Company logo on media backdrop & identified as gold sponsor

4. Company logo on press release

5. Company logo on ‘Trans-Sumatra by Becak’ blog/website - hyperlinked to your own site

6. Company thanked publicly by myself at the start and finish press conferences

7.  Company logo on Facebook and acknowledgement via Twitter

Silver Sponsor – Rp25,000,000

1. Company logo on back of t-shirt and logo placed on support car

2. Company logo on media backdrop

3. Company logo on press release

4. Company logo on ‘Trans-Sumatra by Becak’ blog/website - hyperlinked to your own site

5. Company logo on Facebook and acknowledgement via Twitter

Bronze Sponsor - Rp10,000,000

1. Company logo on media backdrop

2. Company logo on press release

3. Company logo on ‘Trans-Sumatra by Becak’ blog/website - hyperlinked to your own site

4. Company logo on Facebook and acknowledgement via Twitter

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this charity funding raising opportunity further - and thank you for reading this far:). Becakterus, dong!

Where will your donations go?

In 2010, I competed in a 250 km footrace across the Sahara Desert to help raise funds for a great cause here in Jakarta: Mary's Cancer Kiddies (MCK).

In particular it was to support a little boy that badly needed help. Rahmat, was 12 at the time, and had a mediastinal tumor that had grown so large he had trouble breathing. His parents were insured under the SKTM system, and at that time, Rahmat was denied further treatment having reached their limit. The parents had also borrowed from friends and family, and had exhausted these funds.

The financial burden had become too great for the family and they planned to take Rahmat home. Removing him from the assisted ventilation and taking him home would have resulted in a rapid and painful deterioration in his condition. Like on so many occasions over the past 10 years, Mary’s Cancer Kiddies were able to step in and provide a helping hand.

We had originally set a target of raising 100 million rupiah to cover Rahmat’s needs through the complete chemo cycle planned, and to keep him in intensive care and on the ventilator. In the end we raised Rp350 Million - at the time close to US$40,000.

MCK’s goal is to assist children - just like Rahmat - from financially disadvantaged families, by giving them access to the medical treatment they need and to help them go through an extremely difficult time with dignity.

For more information on MCK, please visit www.maryscancerkiddies.org

The 4-Deserts Sahara Race is a self-supported ultra-marathon. For the duration, competitors carry their own food, equipment and clothing; only drinking water was provided. The distance covered was approximately 250kms with daily distances of 40kms during the first 4 stages, to 95kms in stage 5 and 5kms in the final stage.

* Jakarta NOW Magazine

A Thoroughbred or a Work of Art?

What exactly is it?

Yeremi Klakson has his say in the clip below - best you make up your own mind.

Becak Specifications and some redeeming features: 


Model - Flying Merah–Putih & Year - 2015

Length (metres): 2.4

Width (metres): 1.4

Height (metres) 1.4

Net Weight (kg): 77 on an empty tank

Fuel Tank/Water Bottles (litres): 4 x 0.75

Engine: Past its prime, but still in reasonable working order

Disc brakes: Yes

Warranty: No

Range (km): Unknown

0-20 (km/hour): 4 Seconds

Top Speed (km/hour): 30 Downhill

Cruise Control: Standard, slow and steady

Air Conditioning: Yip, lots

Air Bag: Sort of yes, but no

Chest Pull Harness: Yes (for anything steeper than a speed bump) Standard Upholstery and Leather Saddle Finish: Red

Bluetooth: No chance

Sound system: Rickshaw 'tooting-woofer' horns x 6

Sat-Nav: As standard

Power Steering: Steering damper from 1979 Volkswagen Beetle (thanks P'Budi). With additional damping provided by spare inner tube

The original becak was stripped down and built back up (almost completely) with new parts; primarily to ensure reliability and safety out on the road. The rebuild took place under the guidance of Micky Chandra, the owner of Technobikes (www.technobikesindo.co.id). To Micky, Andri and the whole team at Technobikes, thank you for your fantastic support. 

Becakterus, dong!

Helping to build bridges

2 years ago, I flew to Banyuwangi, the eastern-most city on the island of Java to officially open a new YCAB Rumah Belajar (learning centre). 

During Berlariterus' Bali to Jakarta shuffle, I gained great heart from the support I received from this part of Java. The encouragement outside Banyuwangi helped at a particularly low point in my run - not feeling my best, the sad passing of a good friend and the daunting realisation that I still had 1,000 tropical kms to go. 

It was therefore decided we should target a portion of the funds raised for a learning centre in this region. After considerable due diligence, YCAB decided to team up with an established local partner in a village on the road from Banyuwangi to Jember. 

Within days of it opening, the centre had 190 kids enrolled, all from disadvantaged backgrounds. The centre is open 7 days, from morning to night - and I am happy report classes are still full across the entire week. 

My apologies for the name given to the Rumah Belajar, it was out of my control, honestly. However, the most important thing is that kids in this village were, and are still getting access to information technology and gaining computer skills, which will undoubtedly broaden their learning and help them reach their full potential. 

Another 3 learning centres (1 in Bali and 2 in Java) were established by YCAB with the sponsorship funds we raised. To all those that generously supported Berlariterus, once again, thank YOU. 

Yours, Becakterus

Becakterus Challenge - Banda Aceh to Jakarta

Here in Indonesia, becaks (as I mentioned earlier) are a widely used form of transport - a traditional and valued part of life outside of big cities. 

The challenge will be to pedal my becak from Banda Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra, to Jakarta the capital city in Java. This journey is approximately 2,600 kms, and allegedly all downhill! Starting on the 24th of September, I'll travel from the northern hemisphere, across the equator, and drop into the southern hemisphere. Crossing the equator will be very close to my half point.

Therefore, the ride will take me down the length of one of the largest islands in the world, Sumatra - and hopefully further than the current Guinness World Record for the 'Longest Journey by a Rickshaw'. Going after the record is a necessary promotional evil, in order to help generate as much interest as possible in the challenge. 

I will set out to try and beat the current record set by Tim Ross in 2010, where in the UK he pedalled 1,378 kms in 25 days (http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-journey-by-rickshaw). I will attempt to pedal my becak (The Flying Merah-Putih) almost twice as far in the tropics, and hopefully complete my challenge in fewer days. The terrain is hilly and I've also been advised that sections of the Trans-Sumatra road will require some caution because of its condition.

As a boy I loved to read this wonderful publication, and I would be lying to say that I didn't love the idea of somehow appearing within its pages. But that was back then. Today, decades on, and firmly ensconced in my bald(ing) years, I can happily let the next edition of this great book pass me by.

Hopefully, a few months from now and with a bit of luck, I'll be content with my efforts. But as far as accolades go, I'll be happy to leave the record with Tim. For whatever the outcome, we will have helped to raise the profile of 4 wonderful organisations within my community, that make a massive difference to the lives of many children and their families.

If you feel you can offer any support, in any shape or form, please do get in touch. Thank you.

Much love, Becakterus

Sekali lagi, Becakterus meets up with Berlariterus

Pretty sure this footage was taken on day 6 - looks like a particularly challenging day, long time erased from my memory:-)

3 Wheels are better than 2

The Flying Merah-Putih is anything but fast, but what it gives up in speed, it gains in substance… 80 kgs when loaded up. Thus, rather than burning up the road and devouring the kms, the becak takes a more measured approach, carefully caressing and gathering up the kms, with cultural panache. 

I've been told riding a becak embodies the philosophical side of this island, and it can be found in the symbolism of a Javanese maxim, Alon Alon Waton Kelakon. Meaning; be sincere, be sure, be steady. I guess it's therefore more about the journey than the destination. 

In Indonesia the 3-wheeled rickshaw or pedicab, is known as the Becak. The name, Becak, originates from the Hokkien dialect for Be (horse) Chia (cart) - at least that's what it says on the internet. The original pedicabs were developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and entered Java and Sulawesi around the 1920s. Numbers through the post-war era, mushroomed across the archipelago with 30,000 reported in Jakarta alone, by the late 40s.

In the novel 'The Year of Living Dangerously', the writer Christopher Koch portrays the becak as an iconic part of everyday life in the capital. This was in the politically charged years of the mid 1960s. The author has Guy Hamilton, the lead character, sauntering round the Hotel Indonesia circle, seeking refuge from the hot sun under the canopy of a becak. 

Today, as the Jakarta Post rightly points out in a recent article, it would be incomprehensible to see a becak now circling the famous Bundaran in the heart of the city. Or is it?.. 

History too shows that as Jakarta continued to grow, and as the traffic multiplied, something had to give way, and it was this charismatic 3-wheeler that lost out. By the late 70s, it was estimated that over 150,000 becaks were operating in and around Jakarta - which resulted in the city administrators of the time banning them altogether. Reportedly, as an example, over a 1,000 were gathered up and dumped into the Jakarta Bay.

But as late as 2007, the Jakarta provincial government passed new regulations under a public order by-law. The by-law prohibits the manufacturing, assembling, ownership and operation of a becak within Jakarta. Failure to abide could result in 3 months in jail and/or fines of up to 30 million rupiah. If anyone reading this and knows of my wife and daughter, please keep it to yourself. Thank you. 

That said, with the help of YCAB - www.ycabfoundation.org - we are hopeful of securing the necessary permits very soon. In the meantime, I'll continue to train on my 3-wheeler, which if anyone asks, is a tricycle designed in the style of a traditional becak. And of course, on the proviso to never pick up a fee paying customer.

I certainly feel less conscious when I get out past the city walls, because out past the ring toll roads, I receive the most amazing and warm welcome from the Tukang Becaks, that still ply their trade on the fringes of Jakarta and beyond. A fine example in the article below.

Becak-terus, dong.

Becakterus meets Berlariterus