ARTICLE

Changes are Started by Organizing and Progress is Evolving

33 representatives of disaster affected communities from Aceh and Nias were gathering on December 13, 2007 in Meulaboh to share and reflect all disaster response activities conducted these 3 years in Aceh and Nias.

The sharing and reflection meeting arose many lessons and lack for improvement. The participants highlighted the act of some organizations, both national and international, who merely provided aid and then left.

In the reflective meeting, which was attended by representative of UNORC Meulaboh, Kabupaten Aceh Barat Legislative Member and YAKKUM board, many participants stated that response to earthquake and tsunami in Aceh and Nias is considered quite successful without regardless many lacks.

“Changes were started from zero, from nothing into something” stated one of the members of Sahabat Cooperative Unit or Koperasi Sahabat in Lueng Manee, Nagan Raya, Aceh. Koperasi Sahabat was initiated by 9 farmers in initial 2007. Currently, the Koperasi Sahabat has one hundred members in approximately; it has developed not only for farmers but also larger community.

The farmers group in Lueng Manee has been able to promote organic farming by resulting wonderful harvests and has been ready to supply organic fertilizer to many areas in Aceh. Some farmers from other areas often learn organic farming in Lueng Manee. The farmers in Lueng Manee have succeeded to change their damaged village into village with vision of healthy and prepared through organic farming and garbage management.

“The assistance from any organization was well delivered when they facilitated the community how to organize the people” stated Eferoni I Daeli, the leader of Kelompok Swadaya Masyarakat Tolu Dusun, Onolimbu Raya, Nias. “And money or equipments for economic group capital was given when the members were ready” he added.

Kelompok Swadaya Masyarakat (KSM) is one of community based organizations facilitated by YEU in Nias and Aceh. Currently KSM has succeeded to take role in Tolu Dusun for managing some community groups such as preparedness units, farming groups, herbs garden and mini library for children.

“In the future, we would like to embrace all groups in Sirombu to be part of a cooperative unit” said Eferoni I Daeli.

In the reflection meeting, the health cadres in Lamreh sounded very eager to promote herbal medicines rather than depend on chemical medicines. The herbal medicines program is inline with the vision of Lamreh to be a prepared and healthy village. “Thank you for providing us fishing rod rather than fish. Since Tsunami, people tend to have dependency toward aid. They depend on the organizations for place, food and even sanitation” said Endang, one of IDPs from Lamreh, Aceh Besar.

One sharing was presented by Kurnia Adil, one of the differently able people (difable) and clients of YAKKUM Rehabilitation Unit from Gunungsitoli, Nias. Kurnia is member of differently able people organization in Nias. The organization of the difable is currently trying to enforce the law that arranges the meeting of basic rights of the difable. In his presentation, Kurnia was asking about the implementation of the law in Aceh, and apparently none of the audience was able to give satisfying answer.

Struggling for Fate, in a Very Different Way

In the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, besides response to tsunami and earthquake, YEU also involves in the organization for peace building in Aceh.

“We don't have enough knowledge to get ourselves into organizations and speak for the people. We know about peace but we must learn on how to bring peace into our daily living” said one of the farmers from Peulanteu, Aceh Barat.

Aceh was under conflict situation in 1976 to August 2005. During conflict, women and children were vulnerable to injustice and abuse.

One of the good lessons learned raised was children are stated as good peacemaker. Sekolah Damai in Peuribu, Aceh Barat invites and teaches children with 2 main subjects i.e. conflict resolution and peace building through games and art. The children shall gather into one organization that has vision of peace as they have the experience of being conflict survivors.

Mardiani, one of the Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) members in her presentation of Koperasi Mantena Sempurna in Aceh Utara, told about the importance of good financial management through orderly bookkeeping and recording in the business. Koperasi Mantena Sempurna has succeeded establish a well marketing system, it was initiated with capital 36 million rupiah and currently has been developed into approximately 100 million rupiah.

“Women must be strong, brave and full of spirit; we shall not depend on others. We must decide our own fate. Relief aid will not help to change anything if we don't fight”, said Mardiani, who also takes role in promoting reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention.

The GAM members were fighting with weapon, they are now struggling with economic empowering and health education, especially for women and children.

* * *

Those villages, which are isolated, dare to open themselves and struggle for building back better. The stigma of difficult characters of the people in the remote areas have been changing gradually as the people themselves, with intensive assistance, are able to show good progress and result. Those villages are not only developing but also having the paradigm of disaster risk reduction and preparedness.

*Notes from Sharing and Reflection Meeting, Meulaboh - December 13, 2007

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