(JP/Simon Sudarman)Efforts to create a community living in peace, mutual respect and harmony through economic empowerment have been the pursuit of Suyatno Hadiatmodjo, commonly called Romo (Father) Yatno, a Catholic priest from Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta.

'€œI'€™m convinced that the desire to live in peace and harmony is cherished deep in everybody'€™s heart. I'€™m trying to stimulate such aspirations in society, which may have been eroded today, and revive them, especially among village people,'€ said the recipient of an international Ashoka Award from a Canadian NGO in 2011.

His attempts to empower disadvantaged people date back to the 1980s, when he joined the humanitarianism of distinguished populist figure (the late) Romo YB Mangunwijaya, better known as Romo Mangun.

They defended the rights of common people who were victims of the Kedung Ombo reservoir project in Boyolali, Central Java.

As a member of the Kedung Ombo Victims'€™ Community set up in 1989, Romo Yatno was also engaged in the Code River settlement project in Yogyakarta, initiated by Romo Mangun. '€œI learned from Romo Mangun and assisted him in the effort. Now I feel his world is in tune with the call of my heart, so I'€™ve been pursuing the same cause,'€ said the priest.

Following the eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010, Romo Yatno, along with activists from the Forum of Believers'€™ Brotherhood (FPUB), which he cofounded in 1997, economically empowered villagers on the slopes of the mountain, located north of Yogyakarta.

Instead of seeking bank loans, Romo Yatno chose to utilize local people'€™s resources and invite donors who were ready to support the effort. '€œWe developed local assets for their own empowerment. I'€™m still impressed by Romo Mangun'€™s concept: think globally, but act locally,'€ he said.

Based on this principle, he encouraged local initiatives through his proposals, resulting in local residents'€™ goat breeding '€œrotation'€, anti-pesticide and environment protection drive and mutual assistance in bridge construction.

'€œThe goat breeding rotation began in 2007, after my empowerment proposal attracted donors who contributed four goats as starting capital. After being raised for their offspring, mother goats are returned with an obligatory payment of Rp 25,000 (US$2.57) for rejuvenation. Such rotation has so far produced over 200 kids,'€ he said, adding local breeders had set up an association, Paguyuban Mendowati.

He then guided Merapi residents to launch a fight against the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which later led to the emergence of various environmental protection groups for the promotion of organic agriculture, horticulture and fish breeding.

The farmers he fostered in 2010 also formed Ratuna (meaning without loss), an association producing compost from cow dung. Decomposed fruit is also gathered to be processed into compost by another association, Pertanian Lestari (sustainable agriculture), for fertilizing organic salak fruit trees.

The Merapi eruption also devastated a number of bridges around the volcano. Romo Yatno, who at the time lived at Somohitan Church, Turi Sleman, also on the slopes of the mountain, was aware of the importance of these bridges to the local economy.

'€œI was determined not to seek government aid. For there construction of four bridges, we reached a consensus to work by mutual assistance with the resources available to us. Through perseverance and hard work, with some sacrifice including personal property, the bridges were finally rebuilt through self-
supporting endeavors,'€ he revealed.

His mobilization and empowerment of local residents, regardless of their religion, social status and ethnic origin also involved many others, like those donating to the construction of damaged bridges in Muntilan, Central Java and rice aid for slope workers and their families. '€œThis activity even drew foreign visitors to our region, including those from France, Japan and Korea,'€ he added.

Despite the lack of publicity, Romo Yatno has remained faithful to his humanitarian task. He has been working sincerely without expecting any compensation, as is his way of contributing to and making himself useful to society.

'€œWe should work like farmers, who keep planting paddy although their crops are frequently damaged by rats. It doesn'€™t matter if this movement is noticed or not. I only want to serve the community better. That'€™s all,'€ he said.

Now residing at the Church of Santa Maria Tak Bercela, Kumetiran Yogyakarta, Romo Yatno feels certain that the seeds of peace, harmony, friendship and brotherhood are nurtured in everybody'€™s hearts.

'€œThese seeds will be invigorated through humanitarian movements constituting a forum and means by which the values of virtue are
put to use to achieve a peaceful life,'€ he said.

In 1999, Romo Yatno also received an award from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) for his ideas of peace, harmony and humanity in the interest of the country'€™s pluralism.

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