Harini, a true environtmentalist<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Her childhood memories of the green countryside of Surakrata,
\nCentral Java, where she grew up, inspired Harini Bambang Wahono,
\nnow 70, to make her neighborhood in South Jakarta green and
\nclean.<\/p>\n
She realized, however, that she could not do it alone, even if
\nshe filled every inch of her small home and yard with plants.
\nTherefore she encouraged her neighbors in Banjar Sari hamlet,
\nCilandak Barat subdistrict, to do the same thing.<\/p>\n
Harini never expected that her simple wish to make her
\nneighborhood as green as the hometown of her youth would bring
\nher fame. But her work has made her a noted environmental
\nactivist whose work has been recognized by numerous people.<\/p>\n
\"When I came here in 1980, this place was dirty and barren, so
\nI was moved to make the area green like my hometown in Central
\nJava,\" said Harini, recalling her first days in Banjar Sari.<\/p>\n
She also recalled that when she first approached her neighbors
\nabout greening the area, she was met with mockery and rejection.
\nBut she did not give up, because she firmly believed that she had
\na good idea.<\/p>\n
Now Harini deserves to be proud, as her neighborhood has
\nbeen transformed into an environmentally friendly residential
\narea. Not only is it clean, but domestic waste is managed
\naccording to environmentally sound principles.<\/p>\n
Banjar Sari covers 3,365 square meters and has 231 families or
\n939 residents, grouped in neighborhood unit (RW) 8 of Cilandak
\nBarat subdistrict.<\/p>\n
In 1996, it was selected by the United Nations Educational,
\nScientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to host a pilot
\nproject for community waste management.<\/p>\n
Last year, Harini received the Kalpataru environmental award
\nfrom Governor Sutiyoso for her success in raising the
\nenvironmental awareness of the people.<\/p>\n
The previous year, a group of urban farmers from Banjar Sari
\nreceived a national award for their success in managing their
\npost-harvest products, particularly decorative flowers and
\nmedicinal herbs.<\/p>\n
And this year, the city administration is mulling over a plan
\nto make Banjar Sari an environmental tourist destination.<\/p>\n
Despite all this recognition, Harini remains modest about her
\nachievements.<\/p>\n
\"I could not do this alone ... it is because of the hard work
\nof everyone in the community, who have realized the importance of
\nmaking their home green, fresh and clean.\"<\/p>\n
Harini became active in the environmental movement not long
\nafter her arrival in Banjar Sari. After planting trees and
\nflowers in her own yard, she asked her neighbors to do the same.<\/p>\n
But it was not an easy task, because many people in the
\nneighborhood were not all that concerned about the environment.<\/p>\n
But then her husband, Bambang Wahono, a retired Army captain,
\nwas elected head of the small neighborhood unit (RT) 7.<\/p>\n
Such small neighborhood units usually consist of about a few
\ndozen houses, and several RTs combine to form an RW, which is a
\nbigger community unit.<\/p>\n
Harini automatically became the chairwoman of the Family
\nWelfare Program (PKK) for RT 7. In her new position, she had the
\nopportunity to meet with the PKK members, housewives from the
\nneighborhood. During monthly social gatherings, she campaigned
\nfor the environment.<\/p>\n
Harini, who graduated from a high school for teachers in 1950,
\ndid not come right out and ask the women to plant trees in their
\nyards. But she shared with them her skill in sewing, embroidery
\nand home decoration. She also taught some housewives who were
\nilliterate to read and write.<\/p>\n
\"After I thought that I was close enough to them, I began to
\ntalk to them about the importance of planting trees, either in
\npots or in their yards. After they understood, it was not
\ndifficult to ask them to do the same things that I was doing,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
She was able to reach even more people when she was appointed
\nsecretary of the RW 8 community unit, which was comprised of
\neight RTs.<\/p>\n
Harini, who is still active and healthy, encouraged the
\nhousewives to plant trees, flowers and herbs. To motivate them,
\nshe held green contests.<\/p>\n
An employee of UNESCO, who happened to live in the area, told
\nher boss about Banjar Sari. Later, the hamlet was selected to
\nhost a pilot project in waste management, and Harini was trained
\nas an instructor. She learned about recycling and how to make
\ngarbage into compost, and shared this knowledge with others in
\nthe neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Among those who have taken part in her training courses are
\nstudents, teachers, non-governmental organization activists and
\nheads of neighborhood units.<\/p>\n
\"Over 1,000 people have taken part in my training. If the
\nnumber of participants is fewer than 20, the training is held in
\nmy house,\" she said.<\/p>\n
If there are more participants, the training is held in a
\ncommunity hall.<\/p>\n
Harini, who is often invited to speak at environmental
\nseminars, was born on Nov. 25, 1932. Her father was an
\nagricultural official during the Dutch colonial era. She has two
\nsons and two daughters.<\/p>\n
Harini said she is not fully satisfied with her achievements,
\nand hopes that her campaign for green and clean residential areas
\nwill spread to other areas in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"I am happy that our work here has been recognized, but I
\nstill dream that there will be more and more places like (Banjar
\nSari). But I realize that this will not be easy,\" she said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/harini-a-true-environtmentalist-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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