Residents in Menteng district, Central Jakarta, celebrated Independence Day with a ceremony in their own style.
Tucked away near Tugu Proklamasi and Manggarai railway tracks is the densely populated Blok C of Jl. Bonang, known as Komunitas Proklamasi.
With their children in tow, the residents gathered at 8 a.m. at a nearby badminton court to attend a ceremony to raise and salute the Indonesian flag.
Smiles appeared on the residents' faces as the head of the ceremony, a friendly face, resumed his post. The man was wearing a forest hat, a white T-shirt and batik pants; not the normal outfit for the head of a flag raising ceremony.
More smiles as several community members reported they were prepared for the flag ceremony. They also wore clothing not common at such ceremonies, which usually reflect more orderly and formal military events.
One man wore a T-shirt, short and boots and carried a hoe, a woman wore a woven bamboo hat, a kebaya (traditional female top) and batik and another hugged a potted plant.
However, the expressions were serious when the flag bearer raised the merah putih or the red and white flag and the choir sang the national anthem, Indonesia Raya.
Vinny, a resident, said she enjoyed watching the community gather together, as it helped them to bond socially.
"The flag ceremony was done spontaneously. We decorated the field yesterday. The choir only practiced once. But it's a good event because it creates a bond," said the 34-year-old who brought along her one-year-old daughter Nastiti to the ceremony.
Imam Prasodjo of Nurani Dunia foundation who presided the ceremony said while the ceremony might be small in size, it actually showed that poor and marginalized people had something to celebrate as they united and helped each other.
"For example, the community was able to help neighbors to rebuild their homes after they were razed by fire last year. That really is something to celebrate," he said.
Last year, a fire destroyed 42 houses, leaving about 150 residents homeless. The community, with the help of donors and the Nurani Dunia foundation, has renovated the houses. During the ceremony, the fire victims thanked the community for helping them to rebuild their homes.
Besides helping the fire victims, the community has also set up a learning center called Rumah Belajar Komunitas Proklamasi that teaches school subjects, such as mathematics and English.
The center opens daily between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., except Friday.
Megi Budi Sumarno, a resident of 10 years who manages the center, said the community began its activities in 2002, to help stop regular clashes between local youths.
"We united the mothers through aerobics. After that, it snowballed. The mothers brought their young children; we held drawing and coloring for them. Then the older children joined," he said.
Ida, one of the aerobic members, said she enjoyed it because it had made her feel much healthier.
"If I miss a session, I get stiff muscles for the whole week. I hope the men will also join the aerobics," she said.
Megi said the community also held economic improvement programs, such as T-shirt printing, computer classes, air conditioner repair class and gardening. Some residents who joined the activities had opened their own business or now worked in companies.
Nining, a plant vendor, said she received Rp 1 million (US$108.63) from the foundation to help start her business and could repay the loan in 20 installments.
"I can earn between Rp 50,000 and Rp 500,000 a day. Even though the profit is small, my kiosk always has a visitor," said Nining, who sells potted plants for between Rp 10,000 and Rp 15,000.
