SERANG (December 16, 2024) – Social solidarity is one of Indonesia’s noble values that has long served as a unifying force in facing various challenges. This value was clearly demonstrated in a community cleanup event along the Kampung Saung River in Talaga Village, Serang Regency, Banten, on Monday, December 16, 2024.

 

To commemorate National Social Solidarity Day (HKSN) 2024, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) organized a cleanup along the Kampung Saung River. This event marked the kickoff of the HKSN celebrations. Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, accompanied by Vice Minister Agus Jabo Priyono, directly led the cleanup, which involved 250 social volunteers, including members of the Disaster Response Volunteers (TAGANA), Family Hope Program (PKH) companions, and local residents.

 

Minister Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, announced that today's cleanup activity marked the beginning of HKSN 2024 celebrations.

 

“We are marking this as the kickoff. The official activities will run from the 18th to the 20th, with a nationwide cleanup scheduled for December 20th, InshaAllah," said Gus Ipul.

 

“This cleanup is not only a form of social solidarity but also an effort by local communities in villages and other areas to address problems like flooding and to improve environmental health,” Gus Ipul continued.

 

The momentum of this community effort was also attended by the Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Yandri Susanto, the elected Governor of Banten Province, Andra Soni, and the elected Regent of Serang, Ratu Rachmatu Zakiyah.

 

"I am pleased that Talaga Village has been chosen as the location for the HKSN 2024 kickoff. Yandri Susanto stated, "InshaAllah, the cleanup activities will begin here and continue in various places."

 

Concerns of the Community and the Deteriorating Condition of the River

The Kampung Saung River, which has long been a lifeline for the residents of Kampung Saung in Talaga Village, has seen a significant decline in its function. The river originates from the Watu Putih spring, ensuring it never dries up, even in the dry season. For decades, it has been a source of food security and supports local activities.

 

"However, as the population grew and settlements expanded along the riverbanks, the river’s environmental condition worsened. Many people built houses near the river, with septic tanks placed too close to the water, further degrading the environment," explained Firdaus, a local community leader from Kampung Saung.

 

Firdaus also noted that the lack of proper waste disposal facilities led residents to dump household waste into the river. Over time, trash accumulated, blocking the river’s flow, and sedimentation became increasingly problematic.

 

This situation directly affected the residents' lives. The once-flowing Kampung Saung River began to dry up, especially in the dry season, which had never happened before. Consequently, water contamination triggered health issues, including diarrhea and skin rashes.

 

This growing concern eventually prompted the community to take joint action to clean up the river. With a spirit of mutual collaboration, the villagers successfully cleaned approximately 100 meters of the river's flow as a first step toward restoring its functionality.

 

"Because there was already a commitment to social solidarity from the community, MoSA is helping to realize the community’s goal by joining in the cleanup effort," Gus Ipul explained.

 

Social Solidarity as a Collective Strength

Gus Ipul praised the strong sense of mutual cooperation among the people of Kampung Saung, Talaga Village. Despite the heavy rain, the presence of various community groups did not dampen the enthusiasm to work together to clean every inch of the river.

 

"Are you ready?" Gus Ipul exclaimed, energizing the social volunteers and the local residents as they prepared for the cleanup.

 

The entire community worked together to clean the Kampung Saung River, from the upstream to the downstream. Everyone brought cleaning supplies and collected as much waste as possible.

 

“We want to see activities like this—community cleanups and mutual cooperation—revived in society. This way, the community can solve everyday problems through strengthened solidarity,” Gus Ipul said.

 

He added that by restoring the Kampung Saung River, the community would once again have a source of food security. This program also represents potential collaboration between the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration to improve the well-being of rural communities.

 

The river revitalization included the installation of filters, ranging from 1.5 to 3 meters, and gabion structures. These filters are made of galvanized steel mesh filled with stones to prevent erosion and stabilize the soil. The MoSA Directorate General of Social Empowerment supported the river filtration project, which cost IDR 82.374 million.

 

"I’m very happy to be part of this cleanup, especially since the residents have been concerned about the river’s condition for quite some time," said Wahyu, a TAGANA member from Serang.

 

Assistance for the Community

"Besides the cleanup, there is also aid being distributed to the community," said Gus Ipul.

 

MoSA provided Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) in the form of assistive devices worth IDR 27.2 million and 300 sacks of cement for the Khoiru Taqwa and Nurul Ikhlas Mosques in Talaga Village.

 

The self-help initiative by the residents of Talaga Village reflects the noble values of social solidarity and mutual cooperation. Despite initially being driven by environmental concerns, the spirit of unity has evolved into a powerful basis for addressing common difficulties.