On the 14 of April 2012, Raffles International Christian School hosted and sponsored an integrated fundraising activity and public awareness campaign called “Run for Rhinos.” One of the activities is “Walkathon” which allowed students recruit their relatives, friends or teachers to walk or run laps of 500 meters around the school grounds. Speed is not the issue; the participants raised funds for each lap they ran. Some participants brought their dogs and walked on the track at a leisurely pace.

Run for Rhinos is an initiative from Raffles International Christian School to create awareness toward the critically endangered Javan Rhino and help raise funds to support the conservation effort of the rare species. There are an estimated 35 of this large mammals now residing in Ujung Kulon, National Park, where WWF Indonesia has been undertaking rhino conservation work.

WWF-Indonesia Rhino Conservation Program Coordinator, Adhi Rachmat S. Hariyadi hailed the initiative.“WWF Indonesia hopes this authentic effort initiated by Raffles International Christian School will inspire public, particularly the young generation, to do similar deeds in future. Conserving the Javan Rhino is not a solo work. On the other hand, it is a collaborative effort. WWF, the government, private sectors, communities, and of course greater public need to actively take part in protecting the existence of Javan Rhino,” he emphasized.

WWF’s rhino conservation works cover conducting research for instance observation of rhino behavior, feeding patterns, and the investigation of risk of disease outbreal. Rhino behavior observation provides population managers with information on how the rhinos interact with the surroundings, as well as providing information useful for monitoring the physiology (respiration rate) to indicate levels of stress and wellbeing of each individual rhino.

“Currently, WWF is working with Bureau of Forestry, National Park authorities, and local people to assess the possibility of setting up a second habitat and translocate some of the rhinos (pre-selected for health and reproductive viability) to initiate a new population while maintaining the original population in Ujung Kulon National Park,” he added.

Meanwhile The Head of Schools, Raffles International Group of Schools, Gary Tan said, “The funds raised will be donated to WWF, which will eventually help the WWF team to find another suitable breeding site for the rare Javan Rhino and help tackle other critical issues that Javan Rhino is facing now, such as global warming and rare diseases. This Javan Rhino is indigenous to Indonesia and it is considered a precious gem to Indonesia’s national heritage. Let’s join our hands together to take a stand now to help the Java Rhino!”

The Head of the Student Council of Raffles International Christian School, Assila Amelia and the Head of the Walkathon Committee, Hans Julian, mentored by teachers Ms Shervon Yak and Mr Pria Saptono spear-headed a program that allows older students who raised more than Rp 3 Million to visit the Ujung Kulon, National Park, home of the Javan Rhino. Members of Public can join this activity by raising a minimum of Rp 5 Million.

A number of fun-filled workshops enlivened the event. Local craft artists from Ujung Kulon taught participants on wood carving a Javan Rhino and later adding the Batik painting on the sculpture. Making Rhino theme bags and collages, fusing Batik and Indonesian culture, creating storyboard of the Javan Rhino by creative doodling and Doodle Rhino Masks construction were other interesting activities in the list of workshops. To top it all, there is also live music performance by Joe Matindas, the music teacher at RICS. Joe and his students will bring entertainment to friends who have contributed to this event.

In one of the many brainstorming sessions for ideas to promote, “RUN FOR RHINOS”, students as part of the Integrated Curriculum were required to compose and create songs about the Javan Rhino. Yu Na and Jessica from the Primary 6, composed an original song, entitled, “Rhino in Danger”. This song was introduced, supported and adapted by WWF Indonesia. It was showcased in many of the WWF Indonesia roadshows videos ever since. It was also a rewarding moment to see members of public, from Indo Runners joining the event., They set the pace to the students on the walkathon, and send the message that all who have a willing heart can make a difference to help the Javan Rhinos.

Through this initiative, RICS pledges to donate Rp 15,000,000 or more to help WWF Indonesia conserve the shy and vulnerable Javan Rhinos. Their close cousins, from Vietnam had gone extinct last year. A reports from the WWF shows that there is an urgent need to help RHINOS in this world! Let’s put our hands and hearts together to help them now!