Water Guardian turns concern into sanitation action for Kemayoran residents

For Darren Ismaya Karmaina, clean water and sanitation are not issues to discuss only. They are challenges that require action in the community.

The student created Water Guardian to turn young people’s concern about environmental and social problems into practical work. Its first step was the construction of a bathing, washing and toilet facility for residents of Kemayoran in Central Jakarta.

The project reflects Darren’s interest in clean water and sanitation and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6. It brought together young people, local government, community leaders, residents, corporate social responsibility partners and other groups. “I started asking myself, what can a student actually do to help address real problems in society?” Darren said.

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I started asking myself, what can a student actually do to help address real problems in society?

The facility broke ground in June 2026 with the participation of local officials, community figures and residents. Construction has now finished, and the facility has entered the operational stage. But Darren does not consider the building’s completion the end of the project.

“Membangun fasilitas adalah langkah pertama. Tantangan berikutnya adalah memastikan fasilitas tersebut benar-benar digunakan, dirawat, dan memberikan manfaat secara berkelanjutan bagi masyarakat,” kata Darren. In English: “Building the facility is the first step. The next challenge is ensuring that it is truly used, maintained and provides sustainable benefits for the community.”

Water Guardian has designated the Kemayoran site as Site #1, a learning space for testing how community-based sanitation can operate sustainably. The next phase will focus on maintenance, community involvement, monitoring use, water quality, cleanliness and hygiene, and measuring impact regularly. The initiative plans to study what works and what still needs improvement as the site continues operating.

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Building the facility is the first step. The next challenge is ensuring that it is truly used, maintained and provides sustainable benefits for the community.