Activists help teach children to treasure ocean

Ni Komang Erviani , Contributor, The Jakarta Post , Denpasar | Fri, 08/22/2008 10:23 AM | Bali

The little green thing in Made Dharma's hand quickly drew the attention of dozens of children gathered on the shore of Sanur's Semawang beach on Saturday.

"Can anybody tell me what this is?" Dharma asked, displaying the five-"legged" animal he had just picked up off the beach.

"It's a starfish!" the children answered.

Dharma, an activist of the environmental nongovernmental organization Conservation International Indonesia, proceeded to explain the details the animal, starting from the fact that its mouth is located on its underside.

"And they don't always come in green, you know. Some of them are blue or red," he said.

Dharma went on to other animals and facets of the ocean, beginning from the details on how seaweed and coral reefs support marine ecosystems to methods in mitigating its destruction.

The day was a special one for the children of the Nak Nik play group and of Life Skills School for drop-outs.

The event, held to celebrate the country's 63rd anniversary, saw children traveling to beaches while learning about marine life.

The children greeted the event, which was held by the Marine Journalists Group and a number of other non-government organizations, with enthusiasm as they bombarded their older counterparts with questions about the ocean.

The children then wrote out or drew everything they had seen or understood on pieces of paper to be displayed in a children's painting exhibition in Warung Kopi, Renon, from Aug. 19 to Aug. 26.

Committee chairman Gentry Amalo hoped the children's participation could raise awareness and love of nature conservation, especially for coastal and marine environments, and create new perspectives of the sea.

We want these children to stop considering oceans as simply a place where they can spend their holidays," Gentry said

Gentry said introducing the ocean early in life was important because the ocean and its ecosystem had been vastly ignored and neglected compared to land-based activities, adding that marine ecosystems serve as an integral part of the land ecosystem.

Ignorance of this fact, he said, had perpetuated the mass dumping of wastes and trash in the sea.
That's why we want to poison these kids by introducing them to the importance of oceans as early as possible," he joked.

He said the organizations participating in Saturday's event would continue their support, with future events concentrating on other aspects of the environment.

Gede Santika Dharmaputra, a second grader from a Denpasar school, was thrilled to take part in the event.

I just found out that tortoises and turtles are actually different. I would never have realized that had I not joined in," he said.

Santika listed methods on how everyone could help preserve marine environments.

No throwing toxic waste in the sea, no throwing trash in the sea, no using trawls to net fish and no using bombs to catch fish either," he said.
www.thejakartapost.com

Read more...

Indonesian Independence Day is Being Held Underwater

New Tang Dynasty Television

CHAN:
It's Indonesian independence day and this ceremony is being held underwater. Let’s hear how from our reporter in Bali.

STORY:
We are at Sanur Beach in Bali where about 20 Indonesian and foreign divers are preparing for an underwater ceremony.
Among them are four disabled divers who have the duty of unfurling the Indonesian flag underwater.
Conditions are tough for the disabled divers but at 16 feet deep and nearly a mile out to sea they get to work. With patience and persistence, they successfully hold a ceremony to unfurl and honor the Indonesian flag.
Head of the organizing committee, Gentry Amalo, says the purpose of the event is to raise a sense of optimism and love for their country in disabled people.
Gentry says the activity also draws attention to the beauty of Indonesia’s underwater coastline. He says about 80% of Indonesia's underwater assets are damaged.
NTD, Bali, Indonesia.

http://english.ntdtv.com/?c=151&a=4556
http://www.vietmaisau.org/forum/vBTube.php?do=view&vidid=-7CpP29FX9Y

Read more...

Disabled Celebrate Independence Day

Wasti Atmodjo & Ni Komang Erviani , The Jakarta Post , Denpasar | Thu, 08/21/2008 10:24 AM | Surfing Bali

Wiratni, a patient at the hospital for mentally disabled people in Bangli, Bali, sobbed as she accepted toiletries from a visiting member of the Bali Bloggers Community (BBC) on Indonesia's Independence day last Friday.

"Thank you so much. Don't forget us. Drop by often. I'm so happy you came," she said with tears running down her cheeks.

Wiratni was one of the few participating patients in an event held by the BBC to celebrate Indonesia's 63rd anniversary. The celebration in the hospital was vastly different from the rambunctious celebrations happening elsewhere.

Like Wiratni, many patients of the hospital felt abandoned. Made Lamben, who was allowed to return home a few days prior, was still waiting for someone to come and collect him.

"I've been here for four months. Everyone here is very nice. They said I was allowed to go home but no one came to pick me up," Lamben said.

There was no sad tone in his voice, but his cheerless eyes portrayed an agonized heart.

"I have children and grandchildren, but none of them came to see me," said Nyoman Cagal, another patient.

During the BBC's visit, evidence that the hospital was celebrating Independence day could only be ascertained from the flag-raising ceremony that was held earlier in the morning. The flag hung in the front field of the hospital's 7-hectare confinement area: The lone flag and vast empty landscape spoke volumes of the solitary feeling of many of the hospital's patients.

"It is a holiday, so as soon as the flag-hoisting ceremony is over, most of our nurses go home, leaving only a few us to keep watch," said hospital deputy director Made Sugiharta Yasa while greeting members of the BBC.

During the visit, about 60 members of the BBC handed around cleaning tools, instant noodles, books, clothing and toiletries.

A mini-soccer competition, marble race and music show by the Animo ban livened up the mood, though only a few of the hospital's 283 patients were able to participate, most were resting in the wards due to their illnesses.

According to Made Santiasih, head of the hospital services department, many poor- and middle- income families abandon their sick relatives in the hospital.

He said he was thankful the BBC could visit the patients at the hospital.

"We try to do this every year because it's good therapy for our patients. We are very thankful that there are still people who are willing to give attention and provide them with entertainment," Santiasih said.

Meanwhile, at Semawang Beach, Sanur, Denpasar, physically disabled people from the Senang Hati Foundation were enjoying a day out.

Wayan Parwati, Wayan Aris, Wayan Sugianto and Komang Susanta had fun diving six meters below the surface of the ocean together with 24 expert divers to hoist the red-and-white underwater.

"I'm a little nervous. But I'm happy," said the 27 year-old Wayan Parwati, who lost the use of her legs when she was a child.

As the ceremony began, Parwati took her position holding one end of the flag. The ceremony leader gave the signal to place the flag on a rope tied to an anchor on the lower end and a buoy on the upper end.

Parwati released Indonesia's national flag and it waved in the ocean's undercurrent. The other participants of the ceremony gave a salute and kissed the flag before swimming back to the surface.

"I am so proud. If they're having another event like this next year, I'll definitely join," Parwati said.

Event committee chairman Gentry Amalo was even happier. He said the event had proven that disabled people could achieve things that normal people could not.

"They've actually managed to hoist the flag underwater. This is the most special event that Marine Journalists has ever held," Gentry said, referring to one of the non-governmental organizations that sponsored the event.

"It is the first-ever underwater flag-hoisting ceremony conducted by disabled people in Indonesia," he said

TheJakartaPost.com

Read more...

Penyandang Cacat Kibarkan Bendera di Bawah Laut

Minggu, 17 Agustus 2008 17:19

Kapanlagi.com - Untuk pertamakalinya enam penyandang cacat memperingati HUT Kemerdekaan RI dengan cara mengibarkan bendera merah putih di perairan bawah laut kawasan Pantai Sanur, Bali, Minggu.

Keenam penyandang cacat dari sejumlah daerah di Bali itu melakukan aksinya dengan terlebih dahulu menyelam sedalam sekitar lima meter dari permukaan laut.


Layaknya pasukan pengibar bendera, dalam satu komando keenam penyandang cacat itu membentangkan bendera, memberi hormat dan menyanyikan lagi Indonesia raya, walau hanya dilakukan di dalam hati.

Aksi tersebut sekaligus untuk membuktikan bahwa kecacatan fisik bukanlah halangan untuk berkarya, seperti mengisi HUT ke-63 Kemerdekaan RI.

Saya senang sekali bisa merayakan kemerdekaan seperti ini. Saya yakin dimana ada kekurangan, Tuhan telah memberikan kelebihan," kata Aris, salah seorang penyandang cacat polio dari Yayasan Senang Hati, Tampak Siring, Kabupaten Gianyar.

Dia berharap pengalaman yang tidak mungkin dilupakan itu akan menambah semangat dalam perjuangan hidup menyongsong masa depan yang lebih baik.

Arus di perairan sini terasa kuat sekali. Kondisi angin dan ombaknya juga berbeda dengan perairan tempat kami berlatih mengibarkan bendera," kata Aris.

Keenam penyandang cacat itu berlatih selama satu-setengah bulan di kolam renang daerah Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar. Mereka baru mengenal menyelam di laut Sabtu (16/8) atau sehari sebelum beraksi.

Namun dalam aksinya, mereka tetap didampingi 24 penyelam profesional yang tergabung dalam Kelompok Jurnalis Laut, `Ena` dive, yang didukung Gabungan Pengusaha Wisata Bahari (Gahawisri) Bali.

Kelompok Jurnalis Laut selama 17 tahun rutin mengadakan upacara pengibaran bendera di bawah laut.

Untuk tahun ini kami ingin sesuatu yang berbeda. Berenang di laut ternyata juga bentuk terapi bagi saudara kita yang terkena polio sejak kecil," kata koordinator acara, Gentry Amalo.

Momen ini diharapkan juga dapat meningkatkan kemajuan pariwisata bahari di Bali, baik dari sisi pengelolaan maupun kunjungan wisatawan.

Menurut Gentry, selama ini pariwisata bahari di Bali masih belum berkembang dibanding wisata budaya yang telah mampu menarik perhatian wisatawan dari berbagai negara. (*/erl)

Read more...

Penyandang Cacat Kibarkan Bendera di Laut

Minggu, 17 Agustus 2008 - 08:18 wib

SANUR - Memperingati HUT RI ke-63, enam orang penyandang cacat dari Yayasan Senang Hati Denpasar menggelar upacara bendera di dalam perairan Semawang, Pantai Sanur sekira pukul 09.15 WITA, Minggu (17/8/2008).

Bersama sejumlah simpatisan, mereka akan mengibarkan bendera Merah Putih di kedalaman enam meter di bawah laut. Lokasi tepatnya sekira 600 meter dari tepi Pantai Semawang, Sanur.

Saat ini, para penyandang cacat tersebut tengah bersiap melaut. Dengan mengenakan pakaian renang mereka tampak begitu semangat memperingati hari Kemerdekaan kali ini.

"Saya sangat bahagia karena mendapat kehormatan menjadi pengibar bendera merah putih dalam upacara hari kemerdekaan. Terlebih upacara ini dilakukan di dalam laut. Upacara di darat saja, saya belum pernah menjadi pengibar bendera," ungkap Wayan Arif (28), salah seorang Paskibra yang menderita cacat fisik kaki.

Rencananya, empat penyandang cacat akan bertugas sebagai pasukan pengibar bendera merah putih. Dua lainnya akan turut mendampingi mereka. Sedangkan puluhan simpatisan akan turut menyelam untuk memberikan penghormatan kepada Merah Putih.

Sebagaimana diketahui, kegiatan serupa telah digelar sejak tahun 2000 silam. Acara peringatan hari kemerdekaan semacam ini terselenggara atas kerjasama dengan Kelompok Jurnalis Laut Bali.

"Kita ingin menunjukkan kepada publik bahwa para penyandang cacat juga mampu melakukan sesuatu yang bermanfaat," ungkap Ketua Panitia Acara, Gentri Amalo.

(Ni Komang Erviani/Sindo/ful)

Read more...

Melongok Persiapan Para Pengibar Sang Saka Bawah Laut, Paskibrakanya Empat Anak Cacat, Kemarin Latihan Nyelam

Radar Bali, [ Sabtu, 16 Agustus 2008 ]

Melongok Persiapan Para Pengibar Sang Saka Bawah Laut Paskibrakanya Empat Anak Cacat, Kemarin Latihan Nyelam
HUT Kemerdekaan RI ke-63 tinggal dua hari. Beragam kegiatan digelar anak bangsa se nusantara. Namun ada yang rada nyleneh dilakukan kelompok jurnalis laut. Mereka berencana mengibarkan Sang Saka Merah Putih di bawah laut. Bagaimana persiapannya?

ALI MUSTOFA, Denpasar

------------

EMPAT penyelam, semuanya anak cacat, kemarin tampak serius berlatih di Albatross, Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Denpasar. Dipandu empat pelatih pendamping dari BIDP, Conservacy International (CI) dan The Nature Conservation (TNC), keempat anak yang bernaung di bawah Yayasan Senang Hati, Tampaksiring, Gianyar, itu mondar-mandir mengelilingi kolam berukuran 10 x 5 meter. Sesekali mereka menyelam, kemudian mengambang dan muncul lagi ke permukaan.

Kendati cacat, mereka tak kenal takut. Bahkan menu latihan yang mereka lahap kemarin dengan cepat dikuasai. Keempat anak ini akan ditugaskan mengibarkan Sang Saka Merah Putih pada 17 Agustus nanti di kedalaman 13 meter di perairan Jeradi Willy Point, Sanur.

Keempat "Paskibraka laut" itu adalah Made Ari Da Costa, Ni Wayan Parwati, Wayan Sugianto dan Komang Susanta. "Sekali lagi, latihan ini kami maksudkan agar mereka siap saat menjalankan tugasnya nanti pada perayaan 17 Agustus," ujar Ketua Panitia Pengibaran Bendera Bawah Laut, Gentry Amalo, kemarin.

Menurutnya, pihaknya tidak terlalu kesulitan melatih empat anak cacat tersebut.

"Hanya saja perlu aklimatisasi (proses adaptasi), terutama pada saat menyelam," jelas Gentry Amalo. Mereka tidak diperkenankan meluncur dengan teknik mengapung tetapi berdiri. Bagian pemberat yang biasanya diletakkan di perut, juga ditambah di bagian kaki agar mereka tidak terjungkal. "Arus di laut sangat kuat. Jadi persiapannya harus matang," tambahnya. Dia menambahkan bahwa rencana pengibaran bendera di bawah laut itu bakal diikuti 30 orang peserta.

Gentry Amalo yakin usaha yang mereka laksanakan akan berhasil mengingat selama dua minggu terakhir tidak ada masalah. Keempatnya berhasil mengikuti seluruh instruksi secara sempurna, baik saat latihan di kolam maupun di perairan Tulamben, Kubu, Karangasem.

Pengamatan Koran ini kemarin, keempat penyelam itu diajari teknik checking alat, terutama membersihkan masker, melatih keseimbangan tubuh dan berinteraksi dengan pelatih. "Agar pengibaran bendera nanti berjalan sempurna, kami berencana melakukan gladi resik besok (hari ini) di pantai Semawang," papar mantan reporter televisi nasional itu. Yang menarik, kelompok jurnalis laut ini berani mengklaim aksi yang mereka lakukan adalah yang pertama sebagai pengibar bendera bawah laut oleh orang cacat.

Selain aksi gila yang dilakukan kelompok jurnalis laut, aksi Bank Swasta BPR Lestari tak kalah seru. BPR Lestari mengadakan pawai dokar merah putih melibatkan 17 dokar dengan 34 personel yang semuanya karyawan bank kemarin pagi. Uniknya, selain mengitari Kota Denpasar dengan menggunakan kendaraan dokar, rombongan juga membagi-bagikan 1945 lembar bendera merah putih kecil.

Untuk melengkapi semangat nasionalisme, mereka melewati jalan protokol kota dan berhenti pada 8 titik pemberhentian yang merupakan traffic light Kota Denpasar. "Acara ini kami gelar untuk mengingatkan arti pentingnya semangat nasionalisme anak-anak Indonesia,"ujar Annisa Era Putri, Ketua Panitia Lestari Merah Putih kemarin.

Menariknya lagi, mereka tidak hanya mengelar pawai dokar dengan symbol-simbol nasionalisme. Tetapi juga mengibarkan bendera merah putih ukuran besar yang di pasang di semua kantor Bank."Ini kami lakukan untuk memberi ksan unik yang jarang dilakukan instansi atau perusahaan lain,"pungkasnya.(*)

Read more...