INFOKU, BLORA - The spirit of environmental preservation echoed in the Pendopo of the Blora Regent's Official Residence on Friday (24/4/2026).
The Regional Secretary (Sekda) of Blora, Komang Gede Irawadi, along with the Forkopimda ranks welcomed the arrival of the three brothers who founded Sungai Watch from France: Gary, Sam, and Kelly Bencheghib.
Their arrival in Blora was part of the "Run River" campaign, a long-distance running mission to campaign for river cleanliness in Indonesia.
Blora became a special stopping point after they previously held a similar action in the Cepu District area.
" This is the 27th day of our journey. Although our legs feel heavy after traveling 600 kilometers from Bali to Blora, our spirits are rekindled by the extraordinary enthusiasm of the people of Central Java, especially in Blora," said Sam Bencheghib, moved.
Three French brothers who have long lived in Indonesia were welcomed with local cultural excitement.
At the Pendopo, they were treated to a gallant performance of Barongan Art and enjoyed the delicious culinary delights of Blora, namely the legendary Pecel and Chicken Satay.
Blora Regional Secretary Komang Gede Irawadi expressed his highest appreciation for Sungai Watch's dedication.
He hopes this real action will be a slap in the face and a motivation for the local community.
"We would like to express our gratitude for the presence of Mr. Gary, Sam, and Kelly Bencheghib. I apologize, the Regent is currently on his way. Hopefully, he can join us later. This provides insight for all of us, that we must protect the environment, especially rivers," said Blora Regional Secretary Komang Gede Irawadi.
According to him, the French founder of Sungai Watch, who has lived in Bali for a long time, said that we have the Bengawan Solo River, whose beautiful song we must protect. It is the lifeblood of the community.
"Therefore, there will need to be education for the community and so on, so that they can protect our environment, especially rivers. He ran from Jimbaran (Bali) to Blora, having passed through 12 regencies/cities. Blora is the first regency in Central Java, so he said, we must protect our environment, including rivers, including children from small to old. We express our gratitude, and hopefully we can follow up, not only this, we can follow up for our community. Then I would like to thank Radar Kudus for overseeing this activity well, and I also ask for socialization to the community," explained the Blora Regional Secretary.
The Blora Regency Government greatly appreciates the steps taken by Gary and his team.
What they do is expected to inspire us all to care more about the environment, especially to stop throwing rubbish into rivers.
This welcoming event was also attended by a number of Regional Apparatus Organization Leaders (DPUPR/Bapperida/DLH) and the Blora Healthy Regency/City Forum (FKKS), who are committed to continuing to synergize environmental health programs with similar social actions in order to realize a cleaner and healthier Blora.
The Head of the Blora Environmental Agency, Istadi Rusmanto, who also oversaw the action, was moved by the dedication of the three activists. He provided full support, from escorting them to coordinating the next route to Randublatung and Grobogan on Saturday (April 25, 2026).
The “Run River” action reminds us all that big changes often start with simple steps.
Gary, Sam, and Kelly not only carry a message of cleanliness, but they carry a love that runs across the island for clearer waterways for our children and grandchildren.
Carrying out a mission entitled “Run River”, the brothers who founded Sungai Watch are currently on an extraordinary journey: running 1,200 kilometers from Bali to Jakarta.
Marine Debris
For them, running 25-30 kilometers every day is not just about physical fitness.
" If we were driving, we'd just be passing through. But by running, we could stop, look people in the eye, talk, and share our concerns about our river," Gary said sincerely.
Their concerns are rooted in the harsh reality that 80 percent of marine waste comes from neglected rivers.
However, in Cepu, their action turned into a touching collaborative party.
Not only giving speeches, they also went directly to collect trash in the Megal River and planted tree seedlings in the Lebok Reservoir.
The atmosphere was both moving and full of enthusiasm as the PKK mothers and local communities worked together with the French trio.
A total of 100 tree seedlings were prepared by the Environmental Service (DLH) together with PUPR to support this activity.
The seedlings planted consisted of ketapang kencana, Thai mango, alligator avocado, matoa, and jackfruit, 20 of each.
Sam, who is familiarly called Samsudin by his local colleagues, said that this was the 27th day of their journey.
Although their legs may feel heavy after traveling 600 kilometers from Bali to Blora, their enthusiasm is even more invigorated when they see the enthusiasm of the people of Central Java.
"Indonesia has become our home. Protecting its rivers is our responsibility too, not just the government's," Sam said softly but firmly. (Setyorini/KOM)
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