22 Hours Running for Hope: Jelajah Timur Runners Take on the Mbay–Bajawa Route to Bring Clean Water Access to NTT

Nagekeo, October 26, 2025 — A total of 51 runners took part in the Jelajah Timur 2025 ultra marathon charity run initiated by Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia). The two-day event, held on October 24–25, 2025, featured three race categories: 31 runners for 106 kilometers, 18 runners for 53 kilometers, and 2 runners for 12 kilometers. The participants, known as “explorers,” covered the challenging route from Mbay, Nagekeo, to the traditional village of Bena in Bajawa, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), within approximately 22 hours—with one main mission: to ensure inclusive and equitable access to clean water for NTT communities, especially children and girls.

Executive Director of Plan Indonesia, Dini Widiastuti, stated, “Through Jelajah Timur, we want to show that every step, no matter how small, can lead to great change. With access to clean water, children—especially girls—can study, stay healthy, and have equal opportunities to achieve a better future.”

Dini added that access to clean water remains a serious challenge in NTT. Data from the NTT Provincial Government show that 27.5 percent of families still lack access to clean water, while Indonesia’s 2023 Health Survey by the Ministry of Health reports that 37.9 percent of families do not have proper sanitation. Furthermore, about 500 villages in the province still lack adequate clean water facilities.

This situation directly affects public health and well-being, particularly among children. According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2024, 22.2 percent of children in NTT suffer from stunting, making it the province with the second-highest stunting rate in Indonesia. “The clean water crisis directly affects girls because they often have to walk long distances daily to fetch water, losing valuable study time and facing health risks,” Dini added.

One of the beneficiary villages, Tengatiba in Nagekeo, sources its water from outside the village. Some residents must walk up to 2 kilometers through steep terrain to fetch water, relying mostly on small ponds (embung) of poor quality.
“For years, we’ve lived with limitations. Some people walk 2 kilometers up and down hills to collect water. Since the pond was built, we’ve used it for bathing, washing, and, when necessary, for drinking after boiling and settling it for several days. Our income is limited, so we often have to choose between buying water, paying school fees, or buying food. We make do with what we have for the sake of our children’s future. Through Jelajah Timur, we hope this burden will ease, and our lives will become more decent,” said Tengatiba Village Head, Servasius Ame.

Stories from the Jelajah Timur Explorers

As part of the event, the runners visited beneficiary villages to experience firsthand the challenges residents face in accessing clean water. They joined locals in fetching water using jerry cans—a powerful experience that deepened their empathy and awareness about the importance of universal water access.

Actor and model Kelly Tandiono, who ran in the 53-kilometer category, shared, “Running in Jelajah Timur is not just about endurance—it’s about empathy and real action. I want every step I take to bring hope to children in NTT so they can have a more equal future.”

Meanwhile, Tarman Pabelai, an ultra marathon runner and teacher from Sulawesi, found new meaning in this charitable run. “I often bring a jerry can to my classroom to teach students about the clean water crisis in other areas. They become inspired to care. For me, running in Jelajah Timur is a living form of education and solidarity,” he said.

Other notable participants included Adita Irawati (Advisory Board Member of Plan Indonesia), and several inspiring influencers and sports enthusiasts such as Diah Makece, Nicky Hogan, Carla Felany, and Erry Permana. Many participants showed remarkable creativity in fundraising—organizing charity trail runs, yoga classes, and creating special merchandise for donations.

Fundraising for Clean Water Facilities

From August 17, 2025, until the campaign closes on November 10, 2025, Jelajah Timur has raised over Rp 1 billion in public donations through kitabisa.com/jelajahtimur, with contributions continuing to grow. The funds come from the runners’ initiatives, partner support, and public contributions.

All funds will be used to build and expand clean water facilities in three villages in Nagekeo District—Tengatiba, Wajo, and Ngegedhawe—including the development of water infrastructure, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) education, and maintenance and conservation programs over the next three years.

The Jelajah Timur 2025 campaign has also received strong support from local governments, community groups, and corporate partners—both as sponsors and donors—who share a commitment to improving clean water access in East Nusa Tenggara.