Rinjani Clothing Bank Indonesia

GUNUNG RINJANI CLOTHING BANK
Gunung (Mount) Rinjani on the island of Lombok stands at 3726m a.s.l. Its summit is considered by both Balinese and Sasaks as sacred, and the thermal hot pools that flow from its volcanic center are said to have immense healing properties. The mountain is surrounded by a National Park, with varying ecologies including savannah, rain forests and high altitude cloud forests. Because of these attractions, the Rinjani National Park attracts approximately 1000 foreign visitors plus thousands more Indonesians each year. Many of these visitors solicit the help of local porters to carry their backpacks and other luggage through the park.

These porters are all male, ranging in age from 15 to 55 years. As the treks into the park are seasonal, most work as porters on a part time basis, supplementing the money they earn being farmers and labourers. They are usually the main, if not, sole bread winner in the family with a great deal of responsibility placed on their shoulders.

Typical treks into the park include 2 day hikes up to the rim of the volcano, 3 day hikes down to the lake district of the volcano and 4 day hikes that take clients to Rinjani's summit. In all instances, altitudes in excess of 2700m are reached for periods of at least 24 hours, with higher altitudes reached for summit climbs for durations of 3 days. Most camp positions are on exposed ridges. Even at the equator, altitudes above 2000m can produce temperatures nearing 0C. These temperatures are chilled by occasional high winds and rain.

Unfortunately, most porters are unable to afford warm clothing to protect themselves from the cold, wind and rain. While some are provided with warm clothing by their employers, many are not. The result of which is a high number return to their homes, their land and families too ill to contribute to what is already a difficult life.

In consultation with the park Board , we are establishing Indonesia's first Clothing Bank. The Bank will provide all porters with warm, wind proof and rain resistant jackets. The Bank will loan these jackets out to Porters who will be working in the Park and these jackets will be returned to the Bank at the completion of their trek. Returned jackets will be examined and cleaned before they are put back into service for the next Porter. The Porters will not pay for the jackets. They will simply provide their name and contact details and how long they will need the jackets for. The system is based on honesty and the belief in human nature.

There will be two Banks established, one in Senaru on the northern slopes of the Park and the second will be based in Lawang on the eastern side of the Park. The establishment of these outlets assures that Porters do not need to return the jacket to where they borrowed it. Lawang and Senaru represent the two major entry and exit points to the Park and are thus natural places to situate the Banks.

The administration of the Bank will be undertaken by the Gunung Rinjani National Park Board, which is Headquartered in Mataram, Lombok's capitol and with regional offices in Senaru and Lawang. The Board has worked in recent years with NZ Aid, to incorporate local communities into the tourism aspects of the Park. Their work has helped the Rinjani National Park win the recent National Geographic/ World Legacy Best Stewardship Award.

No Roads Expeditions take clients into the Rinjani National Park. We work closely with local Porters and Guides as well as community groups and relevant Guest Houses. Through our network of contacts and exposure to an International Clientele, we are the vehicles through which people can donate jackets.

What can you do?
No Roads Expeditions is collecting jackets for the Bank. If you have a wind proof and warm jacket such as a polar fleece/ gortex wind breaker or anything equivalent, that is in good order then you can donate that jacket to the Bank.

You can send your jackets to:

No Roads Expeditions P.O Box 109 Southland Centre, Cheltenham, VIC Australia 3192

We are looking for 100 jackets for the Bank, so if you have a jacket that you don't use or you would like to buy a new one, rest assured it will be going to good use.