Harini, a true environtmentalist

Harini, a true environtmentalist

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Her childhood memories of the green countryside of Surakrata,
Central Java, where she grew up, inspired Harini Bambang Wahono,
now 70, to make her neighborhood in South Jakarta green and
clean.

She realized, however, that she could not do it alone, even if
she filled every inch of her small home and yard with plants.
Therefore she encouraged her neighbors in Banjar Sari hamlet,
Cilandak Barat subdistrict, to do the same thing.

Harini never expected that her simple wish to make her
neighborhood as green as the hometown of her youth would bring
her fame. But her work has made her a noted environmental
activist whose work has been recognized by numerous people.

"When I came here in 1980, this place was dirty and barren, so
I was moved to make the area green like my hometown in Central
Java," said Harini, recalling her first days in Banjar Sari.

She also recalled that when she first approached her neighbors
about greening the area, she was met with mockery and rejection.
But she did not give up, because she firmly believed that she had
a good idea.

Now Harini deserves to be proud, as her neighborhood has
been transformed into an environmentally friendly residential
area. Not only is it clean, but domestic waste is managed
according to environmentally sound principles.

Banjar Sari covers 3,365 square meters and has 231 families or
939 residents, grouped in neighborhood unit (RW) 8 of Cilandak
Barat subdistrict.

In 1996, it was selected by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to host a pilot
project for community waste management.

Last year, Harini received the Kalpataru environmental award
from Governor Sutiyoso for her success in raising the
environmental awareness of the people.

The previous year, a group of urban farmers from Banjar Sari
received a national award for their success in managing their
post-harvest products, particularly decorative flowers and
medicinal herbs.

And this year, the city administration is mulling over a plan
to make Banjar Sari an environmental tourist destination.

Despite all this recognition, Harini remains modest about her
achievements.

"I could not do this alone ... it is because of the hard work
of everyone in the community, who have realized the importance of
making their home green, fresh and clean."

Harini became active in the environmental movement not long
after her arrival in Banjar Sari. After planting trees and
flowers in her own yard, she asked her neighbors to do the same.

But it was not an easy task, because many people in the
neighborhood were not all that concerned about the environment.

But then her husband, Bambang Wahono, a retired Army captain,
was elected head of the small neighborhood unit (RT) 7.

Such small neighborhood units usually consist of about a few
dozen houses, and several RTs combine to form an RW, which is a
bigger community unit.

Harini automatically became the chairwoman of the Family
Welfare Program (PKK) for RT 7. In her new position, she had the
opportunity to meet with the PKK members, housewives from the
neighborhood. During monthly social gatherings, she campaigned
for the environment.

Harini, who graduated from a high school for teachers in 1950,
did not come right out and ask the women to plant trees in their
yards. But she shared with them her skill in sewing, embroidery
and home decoration. She also taught some housewives who were
illiterate to read and write.

"After I thought that I was close enough to them, I began to
talk to them about the importance of planting trees, either in
pots or in their yards. After they understood, it was not
difficult to ask them to do the same things that I was doing,"
she said.

She was able to reach even more people when she was appointed
secretary of the RW 8 community unit, which was comprised of
eight RTs.

Harini, who is still active and healthy, encouraged the
housewives to plant trees, flowers and herbs. To motivate them,
she held green contests.

An employee of UNESCO, who happened to live in the area, told
her boss about Banjar Sari. Later, the hamlet was selected to
host a pilot project in waste management, and Harini was trained
as an instructor. She learned about recycling and how to make
garbage into compost, and shared this knowledge with others in
the neighborhood.

Among those who have taken part in her training courses are
students, teachers, non-governmental organization activists and
heads of neighborhood units.

"Over 1,000 people have taken part in my training. If the
number of participants is fewer than 20, the training is held in
my house," she said.

If there are more participants, the training is held in a
community hall.

Harini, who is often invited to speak at environmental
seminars, was born on Nov. 25, 1932. Her father was an
agricultural official during the Dutch colonial era. She has two
sons and two daughters.

Harini said she is not fully satisfied with her achievements,
and hopes that her campaign for green and clean residential areas
will spread to other areas in Jakarta.

"I am happy that our work here has been recognized, but I
still dream that there will be more and more places like (Banjar
Sari). But I realize that this will not be easy," she said.