The landmark of Jakarta, the National Monument, is affectionately known as Monas. The beacon still shines over the capital, but at the base of the monument things are beginning to look unkempt. Canisius College Junior High School wanted to do something about that, so they put together an action to spruce up the national treasure.

On June 9, dozens of seventh and eighth grade students, teachers and school staff assembled below the monolith to pick up the trash accumulating on the grounds. Their efforts also reflected the school’s motto: Leader in service and compassion.

Workers in the park surrounding the monument and other visitors to Monas spoke well of the event, titled “Kanisius Peduli Monas”, or “Canisius cares for the National Monument”. Mr. Pariyono, a worker in Monas, said he supported this event because he felt he was getting the help he needed to maintain the cleanliness.

This event could spark interest among more institutions to lend a hand, Mr. Pariyono said.

A member of the school’s student council, Frederick Ray Popo, put the day’s event in context. Canisius planned a creative event around the theme “Save Our Planet from Trash” because students had decided picking up trash was a concrete way to put the theme into practice. They wanted to do more than just put out a good environmental message.

Dave Sebastian

Canisius Mass Media