Inspiring Bandung's Green Warriors, Pertamina Empowers Disabled Artisans in Kampung Rajut

Bandung – Kampung Rajut Binong Jati has been one of the largest knitting centres in Bandung since the 1970s. Starting with just a handful of artisans, the area has grown into a hub of creativity, transforming yarn into a variety of valuable products. Over time, Kampung Rajut has not only preserved its knitting tradition but has also become a space for sustainable waste management innovation. Through the support of Pertamina’s Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility programme, this spirit has expanded with the empowerment of people with disabilities who are members of the ‘Komunitas Fable’. Under the ‘Merajut Asa Kita’ initiative, disabled artisans receive access to raw materials, mentoring, and marketing, enabling them to work from home according to their individual mobility. “We used to struggle to market our crafts. Now we can keep creating and have a more stable income. Here, we are seen for our abilities, not our limitations,” said Komunitas Fable coordinator Elis Juwarsi. Currently, around 10 members of the community are actively producing. The programme not only helps meet their economic needs but also builds self-confidence and provides opportunities that are often hard to find in the formal job market. Local hero of Kampung Rajut Binong Jati, Eka Rahmat Jaya, explained that sustainability is the lifeblood of the village. “We process knitting waste and plastic bottles back into raw materials or new products. This way, residents earn extra income while reducing waste,” he said. This story was studied by around 15 high school students from Bandung who spent their school holidays as Green Warriors in Pertamina’s GreenBus programme. They learned to knit with the artisans, sorted knitting waste, and witnessed first-hand the process of recycling leftover yarn into valuable products. “The most memorable part for me was learning to sort waste and seeing that discarded materials can still be reused,” said Yasmin Hasari, a student at SMAN 12 Bandung. Her schoolmate Asya added that she enjoyed learning directly from the artisans. “It turns out knitting is fun, and there is so much new knowledge to gain here,” she said.