Kalimantan Support Group
KSG
Visit Report February 2017
I hope these photos, from my visit in Jan/Feb and these quotes “ “ from the Rungan Sari Residents Association review of 2016, will give some idea of Rungan Sari life. (Andrew)
Hula hoops at the YUM Creativity Day, Suka Mulia – and ice cream,games,singing – and football
From RSRA: “We are happy to let you know that this year we didn’t have any smoke. The wet season has continued throughout the year and is still here, and we pray that we won’t experience the same terrible haze again that happened in 2015.”
Sari Phase Rungan 2: The Rungan Sari Phase 2 initiative is gathering steam and we may soon see a first release of 22 plots for building in Cluster 1 of the new development around the MSCentre. Interested parties and ‘virtual plot’ holders can contact the PCB Phase 2 team at: [email protected] This is also the contact point for any plot holders from way back who are not sure if they are on the PCB list.
Events: “We had 2 main events happen here at Rungan Sari, the first of which was The Global Issues Network ‘I Am The Forest’ exhibition. This event was held by Borneo Nature Foundation and assisted by BCU school between the 16th –18th September. There were approximately 200 participants aged between 12 and 17 from international and local schools. The main goal was to discuss and learn about the global issues our world is facing today, with a focus on the environment. At the same time, Bjorn's innovative “I am the Forest” photo exhibition was set up in the middle of the jungle area next to the Kedung Jati cafe. It is a trail of photos along the boardwalk showcasing Borneo’s magnificent wildlife. The photos portray mammals, birds, snakes and insects that could be found around you in the forest.”
The walkway over the creek leading to the MSCentre
And, below, the conservation theme
Here is the link to the Jakarta Post review:
I am the Forest' exhibition reveals Kalimantan's ... - The Jakarta Post
“What followed after that was the Human Force camp which interweaved with the Basara Youth Camp. The Human Force Camp was held between 13th – 22nd December followed by the Basara on the 29th December – 7th January. More information about these events can be found in the special edition ‘Subud Voice’ attached. The RSRA management and staff worked closely with the organisers of these important events, in particular regarding the aspects of security, utilities and support services. Many of the residents’ homes were offered as accommodation and resting places for each event.” Yayasan Permakultur Kalimantan:
The permaculture project of Frederika and Jayadi in Suka Mulia
“The school kitchen garden is well underway in the common area behind BCU School. Using permaculture techniques with the existing green corridor alongside the river and a portable aquaponics system, the garden will provide a multitude of benefits to the school and community. The Human Force Camp was heavily involved with Yayasan Permakultur Kalimantan in setting out the garden. “
Chickens Aquaponics (fish below, plants above)
The Human Force mural behind BCU school
Basara:
The Basara gathering was a great success and is covered in a special edition of Subud Voice – attached with this report. KSG sent a donation of $400 towards the Basara costs.
The Kindergarten:
“The Rungan Sari pre-school and playgroup, Pelangi, has grown to maximum capacity, nestled in the colourful classroom on the ground floor of the RSRA office house and garden belonging to Pak Soetriman. Pelangi provides a much needed and appreciated haven for children of Rungan Sari families and those of staff and neighbours. The gentle smiles of the children and parents on any given day says it all.”
KSG sent £400 towards the setup cost in 2015 and a further £400 in 2016.
The children with Hestu
While grownups chat outside
Kedung Jati Café:
“Thanks to Gaye’s initiative in adding additional kitchen facilities, extra sitting areas, fitouts and furniture, the Kedung Jati Café, managed by PCB and renovated a few years ago with donations from Subud Australia and assisted by many Rungan Sari residents, has come alive again with weekly meetups on Fridays and Sundays. The gatherings have been full of fun, laughter and lots of music and singing. The previous meetings have included fund raising events to first help some of the youth attend Basara, and the most recent ones to help members of the Subud community travel to Jogjakarta for the Indonesian National Congress in February.”
Karaoke night at the café - tough but someone has to do it.
They also serve
BCU School:
Further improvements at the BCU National Plus School school include:
Extended dining area – with the Human Force garden in the background
And new kitchen space
Assembly - Samuel tells one of his cautionary tales while Pak Gunarjo exits stage right.
Pupils demonstrate the perils of online rumours and ‘Chinese whispers’
Borneo Football International Foundation:
“Sounds of boys and girls can be heard each afternoon as the Borneo Football International Academy conducts practices and lessons on the common sports area of the compound. The academy has now over 100 participants from all areas around Rungan Sari - Dayaks, Javanese, Banjarese, Balinese – Muslim, Christian, Hindus, all playing football, cooperating and having fun in harmony.”
Construction of the new pitches and buildings continues behind & left of the MSC
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/K7PbPxoJDII
The Mining Project – Asiamet Resources Ltd. (formerly Kalimantan Gold):
The company is progressing towards production of copper at the BKM site, estimated at 25,000 tonnes per annum, and is re-assessing historic samples from adjacent areas: - BKS containing copper/gold/silver and BKZ containing zinc/lead/copper. See their website for latest bulletins and interviews: http://www.asiametresources.com/s/MediaCoverageList.asp
YUM at km 37
The opening ceremony. There is a YUM video that includes footage of the new training facility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S50WHZXeUQ
Kalimantan Tour Destinations: (now operating four boats)
The newly-refurbished original boat arrives at Sei Gohong pier
Relaxing on the river - with the orangutan island to the left
YTS:
Editorial Kabar Itah 49: While attending a conference on community mining recently, I was struck by the heavy focus on technical and legal issues, and very little attention to social issues. This is somewhat surprising because with the technical in particular, although it’s not completely simple, solutions are fairly straightforward. Regarding the legal question, apart from the licensing arrangement, for which measures already exists, there are issues related to jurisdiction and overall management of the sector. Quite a lot of discussion centred on which arm of government should be responsible. Some thought it should be the Environment Ministry; others suggested that as it was mining it should fall under the mandate of the Mines Ministry. But it all depends on how you look at it: as one speaker pointed out, this activity has been going on for centuries and has been considered simply another valid form of livelihood. So perhaps that would be a better way to approach overall management of the sector, more from a socio-economic perspective rather than a technical one. Certainly our experience shows that one of the most challenging aspects is how best to engage with mining communities. Each community is different and they are not like regular settlement-based communities – there is no overarching legal governance structure such as the village government, which falls under the national governance system. And often there is a large turnover of people from year to year. So they’re not very stable.In reality there is a very large variation between individual mining communities. The numbers can vary enormously: from a handful of local miners to thousands in very large sites. Some are closely linked to villages and others are separate unto themselves. And depending where they are in Indonesia, they are affected by local cultural norms and the attitude of local government, which can be very supportive or extremely repressive. It is good to see this sector in the spotlight in a positive way, but we are in the early stages of understanding how best to engage with and support the hundreds of thousands of people involved. Bardolf Paul. Executive Director
(Kabar Itah Edition 48 is also available on the YTS website – link below)
Contacts
BCU School www.bcuschool.com email: [email protected]
BPI www.bpi-pt.com http://www.youtube.com/user/bpichannel
Daniela Bustillo email: [email protected]
Kalteng Consultants www.kalteng.org email: [email protected]
KGC www.asiametresources.com www.kalimantan.com
KTD www.wowborneo.com email: [email protected]
palangkarayaimpressions.blogspot.com
Rungan Sari News www.rungansari.net
Rungan Sari Resort www.rungansariresort.com
YMS www.rungansari.com email: [email protected]
YTS www.tambuhaksinta.com email: [email protected]
www.kabaritah.tambuhaksinta.com
YUM www.yumindonesia.org
