It wasn’t a typical day at SDN Sukahati in Haurgeulis, Indramayu. No classes, no lessons. Instead, children moved excitedly from one classroom to another while teachers tried to keep a sense of order. It was Panen Karya Day, a day when students showcased their work on water and its conservation. For the children, it was about understanding how water is used and why it must be protected. For the adults, its a different aim: building awareness of water resilience and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
Panen Karya is part of the Generasi Cerdas Lingkungan (Gencerling) initiative, a collaboration between CEST, Danone Indonesia, and Lemtek UI. The event marked the culmination of a semester-long learning journey focused on water and its role in everyday life. At SDN Sukahati, the program was adapted by Pak Dodi Manulung, a fifth-grade teacher who used the provided modules as a foundation and tailored them to the school’s curiculum. This approach built on the previous semester’s theme, “I Care for the Earth,” which focused on soil and land, allowing students to develop a more holistic understanding of environmental stewardship.
The program provided three main modules as practical guidelines for teachers across all six elementary grade levels. These modules included exercises and reference materials designed to be flexible, making it easy for teachers to adapt them based on their classroom context. “To be honest, the module was very helpful because the steps were already laid out. We just had to improvise a little bit,” Pak Dodi shared.
Each classroom was transformed into a mini installation space, displaying the students’ work. In different corners, groups of children stood ready to explain their projects, sharing both the creative process and the lessons they had learned. Some presentations followed teacher-provided outlines, while others were entirely student-driven. The rooms were filled with proud voices and genuine enthusiasm as students presented their ideas to visitors and fellow classmates.
Beyond the physical exhibition, Gencerling also extends into a digital space. An online gallery allows students from across Indonesia to showcase their work, turning them into young creators who can share their perspectives with a wider audience. With guidance from their teachers, students uploaded photos, videos, drawings, and written pieces to the Gencerling website. To support this process, teachers received training in citizen journalism, enabling them to guide students in documenting and communicating their work effectively.
As the day came to a close, the vibrant energy of Panen Karya lingered in the halls of SDN Sukahati. More than just an exhibition, the event demonstrated how learning can move beyond textbooks into meaningful, real-world engagement. Through Gencerling, students are not only gaining knowledge but also developing habits, perspectives, and a sense of responsibility toward the environment. In their small but determined steps, they are beginning to understand that caring for water today is essential for securing a sustainable future tomorrow.
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