Kaoem Telapak and partners received a visit from Norad, a Norwegian development cooperation agency, in Tambrauw Regency, West Papua, on 1 – 3 November 2022. “The aim of Norad came to Kaoem Telapak and partners, to see what has been doing, what the challenges are,” said Indriani Widyawati, Livelihood Staff of Kaoem Telapak.
Kaoem Telapak and Yaf Kayam Recieve Norad Representatives
Indri explained that Kaoem Telapak and partners work with Norad in the Permata program. This program aims to support recognising the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities living in forest areas. Permata also tries encouraging beneficiaries to have sustainable livelihoods, improving land management to address deforestation and environmental degradation in Indonesia.
In the Permata program, Kaoem Telapak works on sustainable livelihood issues. Kaoem Telapak outreaches the community in three locations of Tambrauw Regency, West Papua Province: Wertam Village in Bikar District, Ibe Village in Fef District, and Klabili Village in Selenkai District. On the visit, Kaoem Telapak introduced Norad to three communities: the Salses, the Yaf Kayam, and the Akabomata.
On November 1, 2022, the delegation visited the Salses Group. The Moi tradition greeted them by processing draping beads as a welcome sign. After that, the host invites the guests to the Salses’s office. The Salses group explained how the Moi uses forest resources. After that, the group did bird watching.”The bird observation also received assistance from the Tambrauw Regency Tourism Office,” said Indri.
On the second day, Norad’s group visited the Yaf Kayam Group. The Wor dance of Biak greeted their arrival. The host draped the Noken and washed the guests’ heads as a form of purification. Then, the host escorts the guests to the discussion area. In the discussion, Yaf Kayam’s group explained what they had done.
Yaf Kayam Microbank officially opened
“In this group, Norad officiated the Yaf Kayam board because Yaf Kayam’s group has a legality as Microbank,” said Indri.
Next, the host took Norad and his entourage to Yaf Kayam’s garden. They explained how Yaf Kayam was gardening. For gardening, Yaf Kayam’s group always pays attention to the ecology sustainability aspect, which means they do not clear the forest. Grown commodities are chillies, tomatoes, shallots, and long beans.
After touring the garden, Yaf Kayam’s group showed how to make coconut oil. The process starts with choosing raw materials, extraction, heating, and packaging.
Then, the host guests join the barapen procession, a technique of cooking food in an earthen burrow covered with burnt stones. Their meeting closed with a discussion about Yef Kayam’s hopes for the future.
The journey continues to Ibe Village, Fef District. The group moves to visit the Akabomata. This community consists of mothers who focus on works of art.
“The Akabomata group uses non-timber forest products,” said Indri. She added that people often invite Akabomata to become a trainer or resource person regarding sewing and weaving training.
The next day, Kaoem Telapak, Norad, and Network met with the local Government of Tambrauw Regency. The meeting is a form of socialisation of the Permata program to the Government. Every initiative Kaoem Telapak and its partner have done was conveyed in this forum.”Several agencies have agreed to help with the work of Kaoem Telapak, especially in Tambrauw,” said Indri.
