CLIMATE CHANGE

GENDER & SOCIAL INCLUSION

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Fri, 10/07/2022 - 12:00

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Participants of the Women Environmental Defenders (WE-Defend) program's launch last May 29 to June 2, 2022 in Lantapan, Bukidnon. (SAMDHANA)

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Webinar on “Loss and Damage in Southeast Asia: Current issues and ways forward” 6th October 2022, 6:00 PM PST

admin_samdhana — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 07:46:31 +0000

Webinar on “Loss and Damage in Southeast Asia: Current issues and ways forward” 6th October 2022, 6:00 PM PST admin_samdhana Tue, 09/27/2022 - 14:46

How do we, in Southeast Asia, understand ‘loss and damage’?

The Manila Observatory, with Samdhana Institute and Chiang Mai University, is undertaking a project to gather the various perspectives and experiences of individuals and organizations on Loss and Damage.

Due to our geographical position and unique economic, political and socio-cultural contexts as a region, we in Southeast Asia are experiencing the brunt of climate change, including stronger and more frequent typhoons, longer droughts, and gradual sea-level rise that has resulted into food insecurity, displacement and health issues. More natural disasters and existing vulnerabilities has eroded our capacity to recover and recuperate.

The project aims to make sense of loss and damage and form a shared understanding for the region, through a series of conversations and workshops. It also aims to come up with insights and recommendations that can contribute to policy and the negotiations at the UNFCCC, especially in relation to creating a funding mechanism that specifically responds to loss and damage.

On the 6th of October 2022, from 6:00-9:00PM (Philippine standard time) will be the second conversation through the Webinar titled “Loss and Damage in Southeast Asia: Current issues and ways forward”.

During the webinar, we hope to share the results of the first conversation-workshop held last 22-25 August 2022, wherein participants from across Southeast Asia came together to discuss loss and damage specific to the region, and agreed on the need for the creation of a loss and damage financing facility.

With support from Strategic Collaborative Fund Phase 2 of the Stockholm Environmental Institute, this project contributes to foster regional cooperation and policy dialogue for sustainable development and environmental sustainability through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and increased collaboration.Heinrich Böll Stiftung–Southeast Asia, and Samdhana Institute are also supporting this initiative.

For registration to the webinar, scan the QR code or click here.

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Planting the Seeds of Progress: Restoration at Yotoro Hill

admin_samdhana — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 21:32:22 +0000

Planting the Seeds of Progress: Restoration at Yotoro Hill admin_samdhana Tue, 09/27/2022 - 04:32

Following many years of shifting cultivation practices, Yotoro Hill in Papua’s Jayapura Regency is in a critical condition. This has impacted Indigenous Peoples (IP) living nearby in Kwadeware Village, Waibu District, in the form of landslides and flash floods. In response, the women and youths of Kwadeware Village have taken action, by planting trees on Yotoro Hill.

Through the PERMATA programme, the Samdhana Institute has been supporting IP youth and women in Kwadeware Village, helping them learn how to make organic fertilizer (known locally as negentropy fertilizer). At least 2,000 kg of is needed to restore the fertility of Yotoro Hill's soil. So far, they have succeeded in making around 1,500 kg.

"We involve soil conservation experts to provide training to the youth here, including the deaf community in Jayapura, who are members of Menoken,” explains Samdhana Papua Coordinator Piter Roki Aloisius. “They are given training in making negentropy fertilizer," he added.

The fertilizer project forms part of wider operations, including the planting of 1,000 Moringa trees at Yotoro Hill with the Mamta Menoken Community on 26-27 August 2022. Roki noted that the Yotoro restoration movement began with a commitment from various communities in Jayapura during the Menoken activity in Mamta some time ago. "These Nokeners have pledged to not only carry out reforestation activities in Yotoro, but also in other areas that are in critical condition, such as in Henna and Hobong," he said.

With support from PERMATA, Indigenous women and youth in Kwadeware Village hope their tree planting activities can be scaled and help to increase soil fertility. In addition to increasing the nutrient content of the land around Yotoro Hill, these activities can help to mitigate erosion around Lake Sentani, thereby helping to prevent natural disasters.

"Yotoro Hill is one of the largest islands in Lake Sentani, which has been eroded by rainwater and lakes,” explains Roki. “Without any mitigation efforts the level of damage will get worse,” he added, noting that during the rainy season, high rainfall raises the water level. “As a result,” he says, “many houses in several villages on the outskirts of Lake Sentani were submerged.”

"This has happened several times and it has become a national disaster, so this has become one of the agendas in the signing event in Mamta," he added.

No fewer than 200 people attended this event. They included representatives from the GKI PAM Yonokong Youth in Kwadeware Village, Kwadeware Village Youth, the Papua Tour Guide Community, the Jayapura Deaf Community, the Fun Walking Community, and the Samdhana Institute; all of whom are members of the Menoken Mamta Community.

This activity was also well received by the natives of Kwadeware Village, who are already looking forward to seeing improvements. "I think this is very good, because the condition of Yotoro Hill is very arid and (this programme) brings many benefits,” said Tomotius Marweri, who is a native of Kwadeware. “With activities like this, we have helped to save the hill, so I am happy and I give great thanks to the Menoken community who have organised this activity.”

In addition to planting 1,000 Moringa trees, the Menoken Manta community and the local government of Yotoro also built a 400-metre-long cow barrier. This is expected to protect the Moringa trees in Bukit Yotoro from disruption by grazing cattle.

Looking to the future, the people hope that tree planting activities will continue and deliver positive results. The residents previously planted 300 Moringa tree seedlings in Yotoro Hill, of which only 50% survived. At the time, this was attributed to the poor quality of the soil. Now, with fertiliser in place, the people of Kwadeware and the Menoken Manta community have high hopes for their hill.

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Wed, 10/12/2022 - 12:00

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The women and youths of Kwadeware Village have taken action, by planting trees on Yotoro Hill. (Naely/SAMDHANA)

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Recovery after Odette

admin_samdhana — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 07:42:02 +0000

Recovery after Odette admin_samdhana Thu, 02/10/2022 - 14:42

Indigenous and local communities still vulnerable to natural disasters aggravated by climate change.

A month after the devastating category 5 typhoon Odette (Rai) last December 16, 2021, affected communities are focused on their recovery. Through the urgent action grant mechanism, Samdhana Institute was able to contribute to the relief and recovery efforts of community partners.

In Surigao City, several indigenous Badjao community leaders, together with the support organization, Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (DOLSH) engaged in a series of meetings with the Local Government Unit (LGU), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to discuss the relocation plan.

The government plans to remove the Badjaos who live in stilt houses along the port areas, and we're one of those heavily struck by the typhoon. The temporary relocation site is another coastal location, at least 5kilometers away.

Situation of the Badjao stilt homes in the typhoon aftermath in Surigao City.

The women-led Badjao Association asked the local authorities to reconsider these plans given that their families, especially the children, will be unfamiliar with the new environment, and they feared that the host community may not be prepared to accept them. The NCIP committed to host another meeting to resolve this concern.

The DOLSH Sisters were instrumental in reaching out to help secure assistance for the Badjao community.

Part of the urgent grant will be for purchasing four (4) heavy-duty fishing boats. Each boat will be shared by at least three (3) families. Inspired by Samdhana’s support, a Columban Lay Missionary based in Korea was able to raise funds for more fishing boats. This will enable no fewer than 51 families to secure their daily needs. Other groups who assisted were the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSWD) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Sta. Josefa Rescue and Emergency Services (SJRES) from Agusan del Sur.

There is also plan for a medical mission soon. Several children suffered from fever, stomach-borne diseases, cough and colds. Anti-tetanus shots were needed for those who had stepped on nails from the typhoon debris. Nanay Dahila Araman, one of the leaders, still suffered inflammation of her left shoulder when she fell from their stilt house at the height of the typhoon. She was so happy with the outpouring of support. As a people, they rarely experience being given priority, especially by the government. This is one of the reasons that many Badjao find their living begging in the streets for survival. The recovery efforts will hopefully be a concerted action to help the Badjao families lessen their vulnerabilities to recurring natural disasters.

There are many actors making their own contribution to help families regain their normal lives, including the academe. The Department of Sociology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, CARAGA State University initiated the fundraising to furnish roofing materials for a few families in Cantugas, Mainit, Surigao del Norte. They are currently continuing with their fundraising to reach their target of at least 733 GI Sheets.

Local organizations are best-placed to address the emergent needs in disasters, like Peace Pond Farmers Association, Inc. They prioritized to secure filters from the Alternative Indigenous Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) to ensure clean drinking water for families who lost their water sources in Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan. MASIPAG-Visayas also identified water needs as a priority and undertook the clean-up and decontamination of water wells in Central & Southern Negros Occidental.

Samdhana’s grant of PhP 50,000 was contributed to the funds pooled from Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) which donated P320,000.00 and the Visayas cluster’s counterpart of P22,000.00 for the equipment and food packs.
Samdhana, with funding support from Global Greengrants Fund, provided a total of $17,408 or PhP848,600 in total for the urgent and recovery grants to 9 partners for Typhoon Odette.

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FINDING RESILIENCE

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Tue, 02/08/2022 - 12:00

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https://youtu.be/dDMK4zKsa5E

Participation to the COP26 Events

admin_samdhana — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 13:26:31 +0000

Participation to the COP26 Events admin_samdhana Tue, 11/02/2021 - 20:26

Samdhana joins to bring voices and stories of Indigenous peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to the COP26 at Glasgow.

We are at the FIP Exhibition for the Dedicated Grant Mechanism Indonesia (DGMI at Manggala Wanabakti, Ministry of Environment and Forestry in Jakarta.

Indonesia Pavillion COP 26 UNFCCC

Visit the Nourish Scotland website for the RECIPES FOR RESILIENCE EXHIBIT running on Nov2-12.

https://www.nourishscotland.org/campaigns/cop26-and-food-systems/

Featuring the food systems and stories of IPLCs in the Philippines and Indonesia.

A short "hybrid" interaction during the Recipes for Resilience exhibit proper happening on Nov. 5, with Calamian Tagbanwa partners:

Development & Climate Days 2021 (D&C Days)

Samdhana will be in the panel for Session 6A Governance for climate action in the food system: what is the role of NDC's and local dialogues? Wednesday 10th November at 06:00-08:00 CST/12:00 - 13:30 GMT/13:00-14:30 WAT/15:00-16:30 EAT/20:00-21:30 PST

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Sat, 10/02/2021 - 12:00

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Samdhana joins to bring voices and stories of Indigenous peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to the COP26 at Glasgow

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Restoring the Land, Prospering the Next Generation.

admin_samdhana — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 06:07:56 +0000

Restoring the Land, Prospering the Next Generation. admin_samdhana Sat, 06/05/2021 - 13:07

In the heart of Sentani Lake, there lies a small island. Tourists call this island "Teletubbies Hill" because it has smooth bumpy hills just like in the Teletubbies TV series. The actual name is Yotoro Yoman Jo Hill. Approximately 50ha, it is home to the Kwadeware Village in Waibu District, Jayapura. On top of the hills, one can witness the beautiful scenery of Lake Sentani and the Cycloop Mountains, the far-reaching savanna grasslands and local houses at the edge of the lake surrounding the island. Sunsets and sunrises are naked to the eye because there are no shades to cover the sky.

But there is a downside to the beauty of the place. The Yotoro Hills are frequently dry; the grasslands directly face the sun, and at noon it is blazing hot. The hills are prone to erosion and landslides, which have happened before. Therefore, the locals decided it would be a good idea to plant trees to hold together the loose hill slopes.

During the Menoken di Tabi, youngsters planted the trees “adopted” by the locals, volunteers, and Government officials Yotoro Hills on Earth Day. The 300 saplings were provided by the Mamberamo Watershed Nursery Center with productive species such as crystal guava, laurel, jackfruit, and Merbau trees. The adopted saplings were planted in designated areas, and identification and information cards were attached to its trunk.

The information consists of the name of the individual or organization that adopted the tree and its species. Adopting the trees is a way for the locals who have indigenous rights in the area to have access to the trees, which hopefully will benefit them and their children in the future. It also served to reinforce the environmental education that the children received at an early age.

TOGETHER WE CAN BE #GENERATIONRESTORATION #NURTURINGGENERATION #FINDINGRESILIENCE.

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Sat, 06/05/2021 - 12:00

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During the "Menoken di Tabi", youngsters planted the trees “adopted” by the locals, volunteers, and Government officials Yotoro Hills. (Roki/SAMDHANA)

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Sikka Youth Empowerment: Building a Cleaner, Greener Community

admin_samdhana — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 05:33:15 +0000

Sikka Youth Empowerment: Building a Cleaner, Greener Community admin_samdhana Sat, 06/05/2021 - 12:33

In East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), youth groups are eager to learn and contribute to their communities’ future. Despite limitations caused by Covid-19, Samdhana Institute was able to support the Association of Child Rights Activists (Perkumpulan Aktivis Peduli Hak Anak - PAPHA) in Sikka Regency, where young people are encouraged to learn about climate change and what they can do to mitigate and lessen its local impact.

At Kolisia B village in the Waioiti sub- district, teenagers attended an opening socialisation event to understand better why there are changes in the climate and what it means for them, the environment and their livelihoods. Here they set about sketching their village map; an essential component for analysing and drafting their community’s Climate Vulnerability and Climate Analysis (CVCA). Also in attendance were local government staff, who were fully supportive of the project.

The youth groups have committed to regular clean-ups of plastic waste in Kolisia B and in public areas of Waioiti, covering at least a kilometre of their beach each week. Plastic waste collected will be sold via waste banks or used as raw materials for furniture – such as chairs, tables and even sofas, that will be produced and sold by the Waioiti community.

During the event, participants also tried their hands at sustainable agriculture techniques and technologies – ploughing the soil, arranging planting beds and applying organic fertiliser. They also built a simulated drip irrigation farming system, which they installed on 450 m2 of land.

Looking ahead, these youth groups have committed to practicing the skills they learned in their homes and backyards, and educate their community about waste management. Other plans include the establishment of rubbish bins along the coastline, so returning tourists can support local efforts to keep the beach clean. With such dedication and innovation shown by its young members, the future of the Sikka community appears to be in good hands.

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SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

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Sat, 06/05/2021 - 12:00

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Training on recycling of plastic bottles by Association of Child Rights Activists (PAPHA) in Sikka Regency. The youth groups have committed to regular clean-ups of plastic waste. (PAPHA)

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World Environment Day 2021

admin_samdhana — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 03:30:21 +0000

World Environment Day 2021 admin_samdhana Sat, 06/05/2021 - 10:30

Theme: “Ecosystem Restoration”

#GenerationRestoration
#nurturingGeneration
#findingresilience

Samdhana observes World Environment Day 2021, celebrating the theme “Ecosystem Restoration.” This year’s Environment Day also launches the United Nation’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

In recognition of one of the most important keepers of our ecosystems, the Indigenous Peoples, we are launching the Nurturing Generation feature series.

Indigenous Peoples’ relationship with the ecosystem is rooted in their belief that land is life and their life is connected with nature. Through their knowledge systems and practices (IKSP), Indigenous Peoples are recognized to be critical in maintaining the ecological balance, and protect the life-giving ecosystems we depend on. Indigenous Peoples’ worldview is holistic and an integrated understanding of the world, deeply interconnected with and respectful of the natural environment.

We celebrate the generations of Indigenous Peoples living in and with the land, since time immemorial. We also look up to the Indigenous and local Youths, future generations who are stepping up to make their ecosystems a much better place. We will learn from the Samdhana Fellows’ generation of practitioners who are giving back from their years of experience in the social and environmental movements.

Not only are we supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) restoring their ecosystems, we are restoring & nurturing our relationships with the land, with nature and the environment, with groups of people with diverse cultures and abilities, and relationships with one another. Especially in this time of the pandemic, it is more crucial to protect and restore the ecosystems that provide us with critical life support.

Look forward to coming features: videos and podcasts on community restoration initiatives, “Tastes and Tales of Indigenous Peoples: landscape dialogues on food systems,” regional learning events and upcoming Youth Jamboree, “Menoken” and Samdhana’s 18th year celebration.

Together, we can be #generationrestoration, #nurturingGeneration, #findingresilience.

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Sat, 06/05/2021 - 12:00

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World Environment Day 2021

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Sustainable spaces of learning

admin_samdhana — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 02:06:03 +0000

Sustainable spaces of learning admin_samdhana Tue, 04/27/2021 - 09:06

In Laos, the Green Community Volunteers (GCV) set out to build an earth brick house, to be the abode of learning for children, women and elders alike. The bricks are made from raw earth found in the village, mixed with husk and water. Mixed mud is used to hold together the bricks to form the structure. The practice of making an earth house is not very common anymore. The earth house in the village of Phonsavanh was built by community members volunteering, many of them are from the ethnic groups, such as Khmu, Hmong and Lao Loom. The children, who will soon be studying in the earth house, also helped; for them, it was play to mix the raw earth materials and the mud for plastering the walls.

The main intention of GCV is to provide a learning habitat for the children and community members of Phonsavanh, to pass on cultural knowledge and practices, and foster exchanges of learning. The earth house will be a place for conducting story-telling workshops, educational film discussions, traditional and innovative forum theater, photo exhibits and writing workshops. It will serve as a resource center, as well as a place to hold community discussions on cultural practices around land use, land governance, on environmental issues and others.

The construction of the earth house was derailed by storms and heavy rains, which caused the group to re-build those parts that were washed away. When the COVID-19 lockdowns happened, construction all but stopped. When the villagers were able to move about again, GCV paid a small sum to the workers to alleviate the crisis that everybody went through.

By choosing the earth house, GCV and the community aims to create a sustainable and environmentally-friendly learning space that is open for all groups, and where, together, they can nurture new environmental stewards and local research groups for the community.

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Posting Date

Mon, 04/26/2021 - 12:00

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Photos from Dorn Bouttasing and Green Community Volunteers

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Local Food Rescue Initiators

admin_samdhana — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 08:41:11 +0000

Local Food Rescue Initiators admin_samdhana Tue, 12/01/2020 - 15:41

Maria Loretha and Dicky Senda in East Nusa Tenggara, Charles Totto in Papua, and Modesta Wisa in West Kalimantan, are Indonesian young leaders, that has initiated local food rescue to overcome the socio-ecological crisis.

They shared stories of their struggles in the “CangKir KoPPI” stands for “Berbincang dan Berpikir Kreatif Kelompok Perempuan dan Pemuda Inspiratif” (Inspirational Youth and women group Conversation and Creative Thinking), discussion series. The Samdhana Insitute supported by the Ford Foundation and The Directorate General Regional Development, Ministry of Home Affairs held this inspiring webinar on Monday, November 23rd 2020, moderated by Paramita Iswari.

Maria Loretha shared tough struggle in collecting Flores local seeds such as Sorgum, Barley, Black Rice and foxtail millet since 2007. She distributed the seeds to local farmers to be replanted in order to save the local crops.

Dicky and The Lakoat.Kujawas shared extraordinary stories, exploring and actualizing local food, while introducing them through literacy, cultural, and ecotourism activities.

Modesta Wisa is one of the pioneers, known for the establishment of Samabue Traditional School (SAS), which initiated “the return to home” movement towards food security and sovereignty in Menjalin, West Kalimantan.

Charles Toto took the audience on a journey back in 1997, when he had the opportunity to help a travel agent to transporting and accompanying tourist that were interested in getting back to nature, exploring the culture, including research purposes.

The opening remarks of this webinar given by The Director General of Regional Development from Ministry of Home Affairs Dr. Hari Nur Cahya Murni, conveyed that “food is the most vital basic human need. The central government and regional governments are also responsible for the availability and the development of local food production in the regions. Local governments are also obliged to diversify consumption”.

Deputy Executive Director of Samdhana Institute Dr. Martua T. Sirait, in the opening of the webinar, mentioned that “indigenous area is repository of knowledge and food storage to deal with the social and ecological crises. Therefore, the enthusiasm and stories from the youth who initiated the promotion of local food are the lessons needs to be shared with others”.

More story on: https://bit.ly/3ftLWet

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