Every August 17, Indonesians come together to celebrate Independence Day. Across the country, communities mark the occasion with a variety of activities, including traditional games and competitions that have become an integral part of Independence Day celebrations.
This year, LINI joined the coastal community of Les Village, Tejakula, Bali, in celebrating the spirit of independence. More than simply commemorating Independence Day, the celebration provided an opportunity for LINI to reconnect with the community, share in the festivities, and strengthen relationships with local residents and children who have been part of LINI’s community engagement activities over the years.
Two Decades of Working Together with the Les Community
LINI’s relationship with the community of Les Village spans about two decades (prior to LINI establishment). Moreover, LINI has carried out various activities through the LINI Aquaculture Training Center (LATC) since 2015, a facility made available to support marine ornamental fish aquaculture and coastal community empowerment programs in Les Village. For ten years, LATC served as an important space for LINI to build relationships and work alongside the local community. The activities focused on improving community well-being through sustainable fishing practices while supporting efforts to restore the coral reef ecosystem in the waters of Les Village. One of these efforts has been the development and deployment of artificial reefs together with local communities. To date, more than 3,000 artificial reef structures have been placed in the waters of Les Village as part of collaborative efforts to restore the local coral reef ecosystem.
Although LATC is no longer the base for LINI’s activities in Les, the relationship and community engagement continue. LINI continues to regularly work with community members to monitor the artificial reef clusters that have been established, while also supporting English language learning for children in Les Village. This ongoing engagement reflects that long-term community support is not dependent solely on the presence of a facility, but, more importantly, on the relationships, trust, and collaboration built together over many years.
Celebrating Independence Together
The spirit of togetherness was also reflected in this year’s Independence Day celebration. LINI organized nine different games and competitions, bringing together 47 community members in Les Village. The competitions were enjoyed by participants of different ages, from children to adults. The atmosphere became increasingly lively as community members gathered, cheered one another on, and celebrated Independence Day together. The celebration was more than a ceremonial activity.
“Independence is not only about celebrating freedom, but about ensuring that every community has the opportunity to grow, contribute, and thrive. Here in Les Village, we celebrate independence through togetherness and a spirit of collaboration as we work towards building a shared future. We hope that the bonds we have built will continue to grow and bring benefits to the community while supporting the sustainability of the coastal ecosystem ” – Agita, Coordinator of Social Impact
The celebration served as a reminder that conservation and community empowerment are long-term journeys. The progress built together over the years needs to be continuously nurtured through presence, communication, and sustained collaboration.
The Red and White Flag Beneath the Sea
The spirit of Independence Day was also brought into one of LINI’s regular activities in Les Village: artificial reef monitoring. This time, the monitoring activity was carried out while displaying the Red and White Indonesian flag beneath the sea. Surrounded by artificial reefs and the underwater ecosystem of Les Village, the flag became a symbol of the spirit of independence, as well as a hope for a healthier future for Indonesia’s marine ecosystems.
Raising the flag underwater also reflects how the spirit of independence can be expressed through different forms of contribution, including protecting the ocean and coastal resources that are an essential part of the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities. The hope is that the coral reef ecosystem in Les Village will continue to recover through collaborative efforts with the community. Just as independence is carried forward and nurtured from one generation to the next, marine ecosystems also require long-term commitment and collective action to ensure that they can continue providing benefits for coastal communities.
The team conducted an underwater survey and mapping exercise with our underwater robot. The robot is being designed to document underwater conditions and support the development of 3D models of coral reef areas. The development of this technology is part of LINI’s efforts to continuously learn and explore new approaches to documenting and monitoring changes in coral reef ecosystem conditions.
In the waters of Les Village, this innovation goes hand in hand with conservation efforts that have been taking place for many years. Cameras and sensors can help provide a better understanding of underwater conditions, while the local community remains an essential part of protecting and monitoring the ecosystem they depend on. The Red and White flag attached to the robot therefore carries a simple but meaningful message: the spirit of independence is also about continuing to learn, innovate, and work together toward a healthier ocean for Indonesia.
From Independence Day competitions on land to the Red and White flag flying beneath the sea, the celebration in Les Village was a reminder that the spirit of togetherness can take many forms. The journey with the community of Les continues: nurturing the relationships that have been built, caring for the ecosystems that sustain coastal communities, and exploring new ways to create a more sustainable future for Indonesia’s coastal areas.
By Retno K. Ningrum and Agita Putri
