Puspo Rini, a teacher in rural Central Kalimantan, believes that every individual can contribute to protecting the environment.
Rini teaches art subjects at one of Astra Agro’s subsidiary schools. With her creativity, Rini transforms used materials, such as sacks and patchwork, into dance costumes for her students to wear nationally and internationally at various art competitions.
The 34-year-old teacher began her service at PT Gunung Sejahtera Ibu Pertiwi (GSIP), one of Astra Agro’s Central Kalimantan subsidiaries, over a decade ago. Originally from Yogyakarta, she was deeply moved by the fact that Dayak children were unfamiliar with their traditional dance.
This realisation motivated her to establish Sanggar Cendikia Astra, a program that teaches Dayak Dance, Nusantara Dance, and Creation Dance, which combines traditional and modern elements.
“My inspiration comes from the intersection of cultural arts and environmental awareness. I want children to take pride in their traditions while also caring for the environment in which they live,” she said.
At the beginning of her journey, Rini encountered challenges in obtaining suitable dance costumes for her students’ performances. The long distance from the city centre and limited funds forced her to think creatively. Within these constraints, she recognized the potential in the used materials available around her. With ingenuity and determination, Rini transformed these simple items into unique and captivating dance costumes. This initiative addressed her challenges and conveyed an important message about sustainability and the repurposing of what is often considered useless.
“We don’t have to wait for significant changes to protect the environment. We can utilise so much from the seemingly useless materials around us. Creativity is the key,” Rini, who completed her undergraduate degree in Dance Education at Yogyakarta State University, stated.
Puspo Rini’s hard work has finally paid off. Her students have won various awards, including recognition from the Regent of West Kotawaringin at the Kobar Expo and an award at the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) Festival.
Most recently, in 2024, Sanggar Cendikia received appreciation from the Astra Group Holding and Astra International. They had the opportunity to showcase several collections of recycled clothing at the Astra Agro 2025 Kick-Off event.
In recognition of her dedication and effort, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KHLK) acknowledged two Astra Agro-assisted schools where Rini teaches through the Adiwiyata Mandiri School awards. This award is given to schools that successfully integrate environmental awareness into their educational processes and daily activities.
However, Rini believes that there is something more important than just receiving awards. She emphasized that by transforming used materials into works of art, they reduce waste and educate students and the surrounding community about the principles of sustainability.
“This award is the result of our collective hard work. We want children to understand that protecting the environment is a significant responsibility and can be achieved through small, consistent actions,” Rini stated.
In this context, Nur Syarifah, Ministerial Expert Staff for Regulatory Affairs at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, emphasized that environmental sustainability is a shared responsibility. Schools serve as essential environments for children to learn about and appreciate their individual roles in protecting the environment.
“The Adiwiyata School Award program has become a crucial foundation for strengthening environmental awareness among our younger generation. It reinforces our commitment to fostering a sustainable environment within schools,” she explained recently.
Rini hopes that initiatives like this will continue to grow and inspire more schools to take similar steps in preserving the environment and culture.
Through Sanggar Cendikia Astra, Puspo Rini has demonstrated that art and environmental awareness can coexist harmoniously. By transforming waste into valuable works of art, she preserves tradition and inspires the younger generation to cherish their environment.
Source: Agrofarm.co.id
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