The Jakarta Grapevine Handler

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Yatno

Many people think sweet grape vines cannot grow in Jakarta. However, Yatno was able to "tame" the vines so that they grew well in the capital city, even on land that was formerly a landfill. Now the janitor supplies grapevine seedlings to many regions of Indonesia.

Since his birth, Yatno has been familiar with the harsh life of Jakarta. As a teenager, he earned money by picking up trash in his neighborhood. He has also been a construction worker, the manager of a dangdut group, a housing complex security officer and, since 2017, a public infrastructure and facilities (PPSU) worker for Malaka Sari subdistrict, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. His job is to cut trees and clean sewers.