Indonesia: Setting sail for hope

Siberut is part of the Mentawai Island group off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The Sua community, with its 58 households and 234 people, has long been isolated from mainstream development. It cannot be reached by road and has no electricity. Growing and selling agricultural produce, mainly cloves, areca nut, durian, and bananas, is their primary source of income.

However, people need 2 to 3 hours of sea transportation to bring their produce to the market. Unpredictable weather and high fuel costs make that difficult. The new boat, equipped with a robust and efficient engine, can more effectively deal with these conditions.

Mae Jasman, a leader of the Sua community, spearheaded the project. He collaborated closely with the KNLWF and coordinated the villagers' joint efforts. As is customary, the community members worked together to construct the boat, a dugout canoe with the engine installed behind the boat body. 

In addition to transporting produce to the market, the vessel can also be used in emergencies to provide faster and safer transportation to the nearest medical facility, which is only accessible by sea. 

“Grassroots leadership drives positive change and inspires others to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities,” Pardosi noted.

Rev. Binsar Sababalat, Ephorus of the Protestant Christian Church in Mentawai (GKPM), encouraged the community to follow through with the initative. “His unwavering commitment to uplifting the marginalized echoes throughout the Mentawai Islands, inspiring hope and resilience among the people,” said Pardosi. 

The project was made possible with the support of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).