Njogo Banyu: A Curriculum-Based Outdoor Adventure for Water Conservation

In early of 2024, my friends and I joined a challenge called "Unesco Water Resilience Challenge 2023 : Youth Action for Water" and and later continued with the Unesco Water Resilience Challenge 2024 : Road to Bali. Basically, the 2024 challenge was a continuation of the 2023 program. The main difference was that in 2024 only seven teams were selected, and the organizers (UNESCO Jakarta and The Water Agency) provided seed funding of $1,000.

Anyway... in this challenge we got a number of capacity buildings, and also there are several homeworks too that we need to complete. After that, we did a mentorships with experts. 

So what is the problem statement?

Changes in land use around Mount Merapi after the eruption have resulted in “environmental amnesia” among young people, separating them from nature and affecting water resources. The Njogo Banyu project aims to respond to this issue by increasing environmental awareness and encouraging stewardship among students.

Location

Mount Merapi-Merbabu-Menoreh Biosphere Reserve, Yogyakarta

Even though from the name of the BR (Biosphere Reserve) are 3 mountains, we just mainly focus on the Mountain Merapi because our location and our university is near Merapi.

Source: BKSDA Yogyakarta

Notes:

Objectives

After the eruption of Mount Merapi, changes in land use led to a phenomenon referred to as “environmental amnesia” among the younger generation. This growing separation from nature has negatively affected the region’s water resources. The Njogo Banyu project aims to address this issue by promoting environmental awareness and stewardship among students, helping them reconnect with the essential role of nature in their lives and in the wider ecosystem.

Methods

The project consisting of five main activities: (1) Water Conservation & Resources Scavenger Hunt, (2) Maps a Park, (3) Let’s Become a Scientist, (4) Pledge for Water Conservation and (5) the publication of an Activity Book. The program targets both students and teachers and incorporates various learning approaches to enrich the educational experience. The first three activities were carried out during a field trip to Desa Wisata Pulesari, where students and teachers participated in nature-based learning through play. The initiative also includes a Water Conservation Pledge made by the participating students.

Outcomes

The project resulted in improved students’ knowledge of water conservation, as indicated by the comparison between pre-test and post-test assessments. It also ensured long-term sustainability by providing teacher training and making the “Njogo Banyu” activity book digitally available as an open-source educational resource.

Before going to far, let me tell you our mentoring journey

We Have a BOOK!!!!!!

Notes: You cannot see the book until you download it on your computer. It cannot be seen on GDrive because the size of the book is too big

All places are schools, and everyone is a teacher - Ki Hajar Dewantara