A group of lay people in Jakarta has launched a fund-raising campaign to finance young people’s formation programs that need serious attention.

“The movement aims to collect money that will be used to fund programs in fields of education, health, economics, social and media,” movement coordinator Jeffry Dompas, said after the official launch on April 2 at Jakarta’s Catholic University of Atma Jaya.

He said that they seek more financial resources because the sum donated by Jakarta archdiocese was inadequate to support the entire formation program.

“Finance has become an obstacle to young people’s activities organized to enhance their skills,” Dompas added.

The “Thousands Love Movement” aims to collect 1,000 rupiah (about US$0.10) from anyone, and since its introduction early last month, the committee has collected 30 million rupiahs (US3,488).

“We choose 1,000 rupiah because this is the amount any one can donate,” he said.

Father Bernardus Mardiatmadja, in his homily, encouraged people to continue to contribute even though it is small.

His concern was echoed by Father Dominikus Kusumawanta, who is participating in the movement, saying that everyone should support it, because it will really help young people.

One young man, Kristoforus Aprianto, welcomed the movement. “So far, we collected money by singing in front of churches and organizing bazaars to pay for our discussion, outbound, recollection and retreat programs in our parishes and universities,” he acknowledged.

He later thanked the lay group for launching the movement.

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