Story From the Field: A Journey toward Progressive Society
In September 2021, UNDP Indonesia deployed 23 Energy Patriots (PEAP) to help villages prepare for the management of the Solar-PV power plant under the ACCESS Project. During the five months of working, these patriots had many exciting stories. The following story was written by Ristifah, PEAP, Wangkolabu Village, in Muna District, Southeast Sulawesi province. Ristifah - The Dream Explorer - will work in the village until March 2023 to help the community manage the communal Solar PV power plant that the ACCESS Project is building.
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This afternoon I looked at my laptop; it was 13:23 WITA. I realized how time flies. From mid-September 2021 to January 2022, five months of a memorable journey in a coastal village with most of the Bajo tribe. Being here and growing together is one part of my dream that God has granted me. The village's name is Wangkolabu, and it takes three to four hours by boat from Kendari City in Southeast Sulawesi province. A village that stands beautifully on the sea and is ready to become a source of livelihood for the community. Beautiful, friendly, and warmly welcoming those who come, including me as a village facilitator, or Energy Patriot, of the ACCESS program. This warmth represents the character of the Wangkolabu people, who are open and want to grow.
The ACCESS program aims to help underprivileged and vulnerable people access essential services to reduce inequality. This support is what the people of Wangkolabu Village have been waiting for as they want to create change towards better or more prosperous village conditions.
One of the pillars of community development that is being assisted is the Lobster Wangkolabu village-owned enterprise (BUMDes), which is expected to be the economic driver and serves as a guardian of the solar-PV power plants. The BUMDes is managed by Mr Jumir, a business actor in the village who is concerned about contributing to the community's welfare. Slowly but surely, he brought the community down the path of change for the better.
The re-election of Pak Jumir as director and two female administrators in revitalizing the Wangkolabu Lobster Bumdes shows the great desire of the community to improve welfare. "I make this trust as a mandate for me to become a director," Mr Jumir said enthusiastically when he received the residents' appointment.
The community's commitment to BUMDes bears support from the Village Government and entrusts business capital to be managed by BUMDes. The BUMDes used the money to build a new fleet of fibre-based ships with hanging engines. The community itself built the boat. "This is the first project in Muna District where a village managed to build their fibre boats; usually, we order from outside the region," said Pak Masling, the Head of Wangkolabu Village. This project "will become an embryo for the BUMDes business unit in the future."
This business is essential for the lives of the Bajo people, the majority of the inhabitants of Wangkolabu. As a community that depends on the sea for their livelihood, ships' existence, whether for transportation or fishing, is fundamental.
In its journey, the Wangkolabu Lobster BUMDes invites all village residents to get involved, including embracing women to support their families through the crab business. More than ten women - teenagers and adults - earn income from this business. That spirit was also seen when choosing a name for the new fleet of ships. Magenta is the name chosen for its lovely colour. This colour is identified with the colour of women and the hope that they can be more welfare.
Growing up with people in a coastal village on Towea Island is one of the most beautiful blessings that God has given me. Witnessing up close, taking pictures, and enjoying all the processes in the village.
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Author: Ristifah (Patriot Energy Wangkolabu Village), edited by Salman Nursiwan, Monitoring and Outreach ACCESS Project