AN AMAZING ENCOUNTER WITH SVENJA
Our PRM team in the Hiran watershed of TNBBBR conducts phenology surveys and unexpectedly encountered Svenja.
On the morning of Saturday 10 November rain poured down on Tumbang Tohan village, which is the closest village to our orangutan release site at Bukit Batikap Conservation Forest. Here our Community Development team have been busy working in collaboration with the local communities on planning and strengthening initiatives to improve sustainable opportunities for local livelihoods.
Sutami (Community Development Coordinator), Erwin Hendrawan (Murung Raya Coordinator), Indrayana (Nyaru Menteng Photographer), Anton (Murung Raya Community Development Staff), Imam Mustofa (Mushroom Cultivation Trainer), and I, Denny Kurniawan (Program Development Leader), discussed with Pak Jaya, a Tumbang Tohan community member, whilst waiting for a group from the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) “Desa Sederhana Lestari” to arrive.
The Desa Sederhana Lestari PKK Group was scheduled to continue a mushroom cultivation activity, and our joint agenda was planting mushroom seeds. The weather was so dismal that we were almost certain that the PKK group meeting would likely be canceled, but at around 9 am there we saw two figures walking carefully towards us along the wet, muddy road. There appeared 80 year old Tambi Saudah and her granddaughter Yeyen who is 7 years old. They had journeyed from their home with only a towel to cover their heads from the rain. Ushering them in out of the rain, Tambi Saudah briskly prepared herself by washing her hands with alcohol, wearing hand gloves, and applying her mask.
I asked her, ”Tambi, why didn’t you wait until the rain is over before you came here?” Tambi Saudah answered,”I would feel bad if the other group members had already started work and I’m too late to learn how to cultivate mushrooms. I want to see the mushrooms grow and I can sell them to add our household income.”
Hearing her answer, I was speechless and in total admiration of this woman. Having dedicated her life to bring up her children and now her grandchildren, she is still excited and determined to learn new ways to continue to work to improve and contribute to her families lives. For me, she is such an inspiration who always gives me renewed spirit in my work. Any obstacle towards reaching our dreams can be overcome as long as we have faith and spirit. Tambi Saudah always arrives on time during all group meetings and immerses herself in all activities. She is an honorable senior community member in Tumbang Tohan village and despite her senior years she is a picture of health. A precious gift she has given to me is her wisdom. "Respect and love your family and work everywhere with your heart," she told me, "because if we work with our heart, we will feel happy and will not tire easily."
Not long after Tambi Saudah arrived, other group members too began to arrive until the room was filled with the group members. Without any instruction the whole team commenced activities like complete professionals. It was a great day for us all.
I am optimistic that the Tumbang Tohan PPK group will grow to be an independent group, becoming an example for other groups, and act as an agent of social change in Tumbang Tohan village. I do not doubt that Tambi Saudah will be a great inspiration for the other PKK group members and for the Nyaru Menteng Community Development team as well, as we work together for a better future.