Pertamina Empowers Disabled Artisans in Bandung's 'Kampung Rajut'

Kampung Rajut Binong Jati has been one of the largest knitting centres in Bandung since the 1970s. Starting with a handful of artisans, the area has grown into a hub of creativity, transforming yarn into a variety of valuable products. Over time, the village 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 (TJSL) programme, this spirit has expanded with the empowerment of persons with disabilities who are members of the ‘Fable Community’. Under the ‘Merajut Asa Kita’ initiative, disabled artisans gain access to raw materials, mentoring, and marketing, allowing them to work from home according to their individual mobility conditions. ‘We used to struggle to market our handicrafts. Now we can keep creating and have a more stable income. Here, we are seen for our abilities, not our limitations,’ said Fable Community Coordinator Elis Juwarsi. Currently, around 10 members of the Fable Community are actively producing. The programme not only helps meet their economic needs but also brings self-confidence and opportunities that have been difficult to obtain 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 recycle knitting waste and plastic bottles into raw materials or new products. This way, residents earn additional income while reducing waste,’ he said. This story was studied by around 15 high school students from Bandung who spent their holidays as Green Warriors in Pertamina’s GreenBus programme. They learned to knit alongside 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 waste can still be reused,’ said Yasmin Hasari, a student from SMAN 12 Bandung. Asya, from the same school, was pleased to learn directly from the artisans. ‘It turns out knitting is fun, and there is so much new learning to be gained here,’ she said. Meanwhile, Steven from SMAN 5 Bandung felt the knitting experience taught him about patience and environmental awareness. ‘We can start with simple things, like sorting waste by type,’ he said. Through this experience, Pertamina’s GreenBus not only provides environmental learning but also instils the values of equality and social awareness in the younger generation through the real-life example of disabled artisans in Kampung Rajut Binong Jati. Pertamina Vice President of Corporate Communication, Muhammad Baron, added that the success of the TJSL programme is measured not only by economic benefits but also by the extent to which it opens equal opportunities for all levels of society. ‘Through the empowerment of disabled artisans in Kampung Rajut Binong Jati, we want to prove that inclusivity and sustainability can go hand in hand and create sustainable benefits for the community,’ said Baron. He hopes the programme will continue to grow as an empowerment ecosystem connecting social, economic, and environmental aspects. ‘When people get the opportunity to work and be independent, at the same time we are also building a more inclusive and sustainable future,’ Baron concluded.