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.