On Saturday, 29 November 2025, PEPULIH organized an ecotrip to Kampung Proklim RW 01 Sunter Jaya, North Jakarta. The ecotrip brought together 12 participants eager to learn directly from a community that has successfully implemented sustainable environmental practices in an urban setting. This visit became a meaningful experience, highlighting how grassroots initiatives can create long-lasting environmental impact.
Exploring Kampung Proklim RW 01 Sunter Jaya
Kampung Proklim (Program Kampung Iklim) is a national initiative in Indonesia that encourages community-based actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Kampung Proklim RW 01 Sunter Jaya is often cited as a positive example of how urban neighborhoods can actively manage waste, improve food security, and strengthen social cohesion.
During this Ecotrip, participants observed **bank sampah (waste bank)** activities carried out by residents across several neighborhood units (RT). Through this system, households sort recyclable waste, which is then collected, recorded, and converted into savings. Beyond reducing waste sent to landfills, the waste bank also fosters environmental awareness and collective responsibility among residents.
Learning from Mr. Sutarno, Environmental Activist and Mentor
The ecotrip was guided by **Mr. Sutarno**, a senior environmental activist who has accompanied Kampung Proklim RW 01 Sunter Jaya since its early development. His dedication was recently recognized through the **Kampung Proklim Lestari** award, one of the highest acknowledgements for sustainable community-based environmental management in Indonesia.
In an informal sharing session, Mr. Sutarno shared his personal journey. Around 20 years ago, he made the courageous decision to resign from his teaching career and dedicate himself full-time to environmental work. At a time when environmental activism was not widely popular, he chose to focus on long-term ecological wellbeing and community empowerment.
Urban Farming from a Rooftop Garden
The visit continued with lunch at Mr. Sutarno’s home, prepared by Mrs. Sutarno using ingredients harvested from their own **rooftop garden**. Despite having almost no yard space, the family utilizes their rooftop to grow vegetables, medicinal plants, and even raise fish. This practice demonstrates how **urban farming** can be applied creatively, even in densely populated areas like Jakarta.
Visiting "Lovely Garden" Sunter
After lunch, the PEPULIH group visited **Lovely Garden Sunter**, located beside Don Bosco Church near Danau Sunter. Lovely Garden is managed by a community of people with disabilities and has been mentored by Mr. Sutarno since its establishment. Similar to Kampung Proklim, the garden focuses on growing food crops, medicinal plants, and fish while promoting inclusivity, skills development, and environmental education.
Inspired to Join Future Ecotrips
As the ecotrip came to an end, participants returned home feeling happy, inspired, and deeply impressed. The visit to Kampung Proklim RW 01 Sunter Jaya and Lovely Garden Sunter showed that sustainable living is achievable through consistency, collaboration, and strong community leadership.
The ecotrip reaffirmed PEPULIH’s commitment to learning directly from communities and supporting grassroots environmental movements. Many participants expressed their enthusiasm to join future ecotrips and explore other inspiring locations across Indonesia.
