From Concern to Action: Darren’s Water Guardian Brings Better Sanitation to Kemayoran

For Darren Ismaya Karmaina, building a sanitation facility in Kemayoran is only the beginning. His Water Guardian initiative started with concern about clean water and sanitation, but has now moved into the harder task of ensuring that the project delivers lasting benefits.

The first Water Guardian project constructed bathing, washing and toilet facilities for residents of Kemayoran in Central Jakarta. The initiative reflects Darren’s interest in Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation, but he did not want the project to remain an awareness campaign.

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What can a student actually do to help address real issues in the community? From that question, Water Guardian evolved from an idea into a real project through collaboration with the community, local leaders, local government, CSR partners, and various other parties supporting its implementation.

“What can a student actually do to help address real issues in the community? From that question, Water Guardian evolved from an idea into a real project through collaboration with the community, local leaders, local government, CSR partners, and various other parties supporting its implementation,” Darren said at the project’s launch on September 5, 2026.

The facility’s groundbreaking ceremony took place in June, attended by local officials, community leaders and residents. After construction was completed, the facility entered its operational phase. Darren said the next challenge would be making sure residents use and maintain it.

“Building the facility is just the first step. The next challenge is to ensure that the facility is actually used, maintained, and provides sustainable benefits to the community,” he said.

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Building the facility is just the first step. The next challenge is to ensure that the facility is actually used, maintained, and provides sustainable benefits to the community.

Water Guardian plans to treat Kemayoran as Site #1, using it to learn how community-based sanitation can operate sustainably. Its next phase includes maintenance, community engagement, monitoring facility use, checking water quality and hygiene, and conducting periodic impact assessments. The project’s framework is summarized as BUILD, OPERATE, MEASURE, RESEARCH, IMPROVE, REPLICATE and SCALE.

If the Kemayoran model proves effective and sustainable, Darren said Water Guardian could explore applying it in other communities.

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If the Kemayoran model proves to be effective and sustainable, Water Guardian can explore the possibility of replicating that approach in other communities.