Mrs. Ranti (30 years old), a female farmer who guides the sustainable livelihoods study from Saureinu Village, has dared to lead in front of the class in front of 25 learning participantsIn Saureinu Village, Mrs. Ranti, a 30-year-old female farmer and Bumdes administrator, found herself leading a class of 25 participants. Her newfound confidence stemmed from the Training of Trainers (TOT) in the Sustainable Livelihoods Assessment Guide conducted by the FIELD Foundation from 23rd to 28th March 2021. Mrs. Ranti, from Mangili hamlet, South Sipora District, Mentawai Islands Regency, reflected, “I have never been so confident to stand in front of a class, especially with gentlemen present. However, after the training, I now possess the self-assurance to guide others.”
Saureinu Village’s farmer group and PKK group had been largely inactive, with little visible activity and rare assistance compared to more experienced villages like Sipora Jaya and Goiso Oinan. Although an NGO named SHEEP had agricultural activities in the village, Mrs. Ranti had not participated. However, her involvement with the FIELD Foundation’s activities marked a turning point. Despite previous attempts at agricultural product processing, such as sago flour production, failing due to lack of support and expensive equipment, hope was rekindled with the FIELD Foundation’s training. Mrs. Ranti, alongside her team members—Mrs. Reni, Mrs. Novi, Mr. Arlibin, Manto, and Perjanus—persisted in their studies and supported each other, overcoming initial doubts and mastering the material to become effective community facilitators.
Another inspiring story emerged from Mrs. Santi Lestari, 44, of Sipora Jaya Village. Her passion for gardening, encouraged by the PKK village group dasa wisma, led her to learn about liquid fertilizer and compost making from the Field Extension Officer. Even before joining the FIELD Foundation’s organic farming program, Mrs. Santi had been practising sustainable farming in her yard, growing fertile cayenne peppers. Experimenting with fertilization methods, she discovered a preference for compost made from goat manure and grass clippings, though manual leaf chopping proved challenging. Despite the farmer group’s heavy composting machine being impractical for personal use, Mrs. Santi aspired to own a household-scale machine.
Visits from FIELD Foundation staff further fueled Mrs. Santi’s enthusiasm. Selling her cayenne peppers locally, she contributed to her family’s income, especially during a storm when market supplies were disrupted. The Sustainable Livelihoods TOT underscored the importance of family food resilience, motivating her to continue planting essential crops. Mrs. Santi’s dedication remained evident, whether in her garden or requesting a sack during training to transport goat manure for fertilizer.
In contrast, Mr. Arlibin from Saureinu Village shared his challenges as a guide. An evaluation session revealed his struggle with patience and emotional control, especially when village heads appeared distracted during presentations. His candid feedback prompted a realisation among the village officials, leading to increased respect and support for the six-person facilitation team.
Goiso Oinan Village’s story highlighted the unwavering support of the village head, Mr. Hasan Basri. Following the Sustainable Livelihoods Assessment guide training, Mr. Hasan facilitated the involvement of 25 participants, including men, women, and a person with disabilities. Learning facilities were made available, and the guides were encouraged to explore and implement their training. This support enabled the team to conduct assessments and manage training activities effectively, fostering community involvement in sustainability discussions and disaster risk reduction.
The Sioban Village study group also thrived under village head support, with 25 participants engaging enthusiastically. Their activities, conducted in the Sioban village office hall, included mapping at-risk populations and capacities and addressing environmental challenges like littering and coastal abrasion. Visits from Babinsa underscored the importance of adhering to health protocols during the pandemic, further bolstering community spirit.
The stories from Saureinu, Sipora Jaya, Goiso Oinan, and Sioban villages exemplify the transformative power of the FIELD Foundation’s Sustainable Livelihoods Assessment Guide. Through training, support, and community collaboration, individuals like Mrs. Ranti, Mrs. Santi, and Mr. Arlibin have become catalysts for positive change, fostering resilience and sustainability in their communities.
