Kabar Itah

Edition 3: July-September 2004

Greetings Second Workshop in Kuala Kurun

Welcome dear readers to our third issue of Kabar

Itah. Articles in this issue reflect the full range of
activities that we have engaged in over the third
quarter. On the ground we are continuing with
the first round of participatory planning in each of
our active villages; and we have started
preparations for the first technical support activity
in improving villagers’ rubber production.

In our education support program, we are

continuing to provide books to village primary and
secondary schools; and we are evaluating the
efficacy of the Kalimantan Kids Club. Under
health, a clean water supply system is being
installed in Tumbang Manyoi, and the mother and
child program is hosting a ‘healthy baby
competition’ in Tumbang Napoi.

The regional development initiative has reached

the second stage with a workshop in Gunung
Mas District. This was led by the Bupati, the
District Head, with a full and active engagement
from all of the departments. A report of this event
is available from our office.
A proposal for establishing multi-stakeholder
working groups is now under consideration at
province and district; and it is expected that these
groups will start functioning in October. Their first
task will be to prepare a profile showing how they
intend to encourage balanced and sustainable
development at each level within the province.
In conjunction with this, steps are underway to
raise awareness and promote the regional
development agenda with NGOs and other
development agencies based in Jakarta.
Kalimantan Tengah is third lowest of provinces
receiving support in Indonesia, so it is critical
that the profile of the province is strengthened
and made more attractive for investors and
donors.
We welcome the participation and support of
anyone wanting to join us in this important
venture. Please contact us if you would like to
know more.
Bardolf Paul
Director
Workshop participants in Kuala Kurun
A second workshop on the theme of creating a ‘Regional Development
Support Program’ was hosted by the government of Gunung Mas District in
Kuala Kurun on July 27th. It was designed to continue to build better
awareness of the need for an integrated, multi-stakeholder approach to
development in Kalimantan Tengah. The target audience was government
officials, and the workshop was well-attended, with 42 senior persons
representing all departments in the District. Eight people were on hand
from YTS and PT Kalimantan Surya Kencana (KSK). The Program Manager
of the International Finance Corporation’s ‘Oil/Gas/Mining Linkages
Program’, based in Balikpapan, attended as an observer.
The program was organized and chaired by the Bupati, and was a shorter
version of the previous one in Palangka Raya. The same themes were
presented – the concept and reality of ‘Sustainable Mineral Development’,
an overview of the mineral development and community development
programs of PT KSK and YTS, and the rational for promoting a ‘Regional
Development Support Program’ for Kalteng.
A lively discussion took place after the presentations, in which a number of
issues were raised. One of the main points was the need to strengthen the
relationship between the community, district and sub-district governments,
and YTS/KSK through improved communication and coordination.
In mid-August, YTS staff spent three days in follow up discussions with the
Bupati’s office and the main departments working with rural community
development, looking at options for collaboration and cooperation. The first
joint action was to have two persons from the Plantation and Forestry
Department take part in a rubber training workshop in Tumbang Manyoi in
September.
Kabar Itah
Kabar Itah is the quartely newsletter of
Yayasan Tambuhak Sinta, an affiliate of
PT. Kalimantan Surya Kencana
Table of Contents
Edition 3: July-September 2004
Greetings.........................................1
Second Workshop in Kuala Kurun...1
Bupati from Gunung Mas visits
KSK Exploration Site ...................... 2
Participatory Rural Appraisal in
Karetau Sarian, 7-10 September ... 2
Evaluation of Kalimantan
Kids Club Beneficiaries.................. 3
Book Support Program................. 3
Healthy Baby Competition................3
Clean Water Program (Hydram)....3
Proposal for Regional
Development Working Group .........4
Staff Development
and Network Strengthening.............4
Training for
Distilling Patchouli Oil .................. 4
Upcoming Activities........................ 4
Published
Yayasan Tambuhak Sinta
Jl. Teuku Umar No. 32A
Palangka Raya 73112
Central Kalimantan-Indonesia
Phone. +62 536 37184
Fax. +62 536 29187
Email:yts@palangkaraya.wasantara.net.id
Editor
Mayang Meilantina
Editorial Staff
Ros Siana
Naumi
Yapet M. Siwung
Saefudin Muthohar
Bank Account
Yayasan Tambuhak Sinta
Bank Danamon
Cabang Palangka Raya
Nomor 11655412
We welcome any news , comments
and articles on relevant topics but we
reserve the right to edit any material in
order to fit the available space.
2 Kabar Itah - Edition 3
Bupati from Gunung Mas visits KSK Exploration Site
On Saturday, August 21st, the
Director of PT Kalimantan
Surya Kencana, Mansur
Geiger, accompanied the Head
of Gunung Mas District, Bupati
Drs. Djudae Anom, and the
Head of the Mineral, Energy,
and Mining Service, Ir.
Soegiarto Nendes, to see
KSK’s current exploration site
at Baroi. Because ground
access is so difficult, the group
flew in by helicopter.
This visit followed on from the
July workshop in Kuala Kurun,
Mansur Geiger, PT. KSK, explains exploration results to Bupati Gunung Mas, Drs. Djudae Anom
and was an opportunity for both
officials to see first-hand the
reality of current exploration activities. They experienced the challenge of working in such a difficult and
remote location, and could see why it can be difficult to attract investors to this kind of venture.
Mansur Geiger informed the Bupati about the results from the recent program. The Bupati examined
current drill core samples that were being prepared for lab analysis, and discussed details with KSK
field staff. It is hoped that this visit will further strengthen the close ties and open relationship, and will
ensure a better understanding of the potential for mineral development to make a significant contribution
to healthy regional development in the near future.
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in Karetau Sarian, 7-10 September
Villagers in Tumbang Karetau
Sarian received the PRA
positively. It was widely and
actively supported, even
though it took place at the start
up of the busy rice planting
season.
The main economic activity in
the village is gold mining,
using sluicing machines or
hand panning. More than 70%
of the villagers are involved in
this activity. During the rice
planting season they reduce
the amount of time spent
mining to attend to their rice Villagers make health map of Karetau Sarian village through PRA health analysis
fields. As this coincides with
the dry season, when water levels in the river are low, transportation by river is greatly restricted and the
price of goods becomes more expensive. This includes the cost of fuel for the sluicing machines, and
most operators stop activities until the fuel price becomes more economical.
Although most villagers have rubber or rattan plantations, they are not working them because the
selling price is too low. In some cases they have converted their rubber plantations to gold mining
fields, thereby destroying the land by washing away the soil.
The PRA revealed the need for longer term thinking about livelihoods, as the prospect for gold mining
will soon be exhausted. The Village Development Plan suggested that fish rearing may be a way to
make productive use of former mining holes. Animal husbandry – chickens and pigs – could provide
suitable livelihood alternatives, provided the villagers are able to get appropriate information and
technical support from government or other sources.
The Village Development Plan will be presented to the Sub-district in October, along with plans from
two other villages, to see where and how the government can support some of the actions laid out in
the plans.
Evaluation of Kalimantan Kids Club
Beneficiaries
In September, YTS evaluated the impact of the
Kalimantan Kids Club by interviewing some of the
current beneficiaries. This year, out of 15
recipients, 5 have completed their studies. They
are: Ester, Elementary School Teacher Education
at Muhammadiyah University; Iyanto, Hindu-
Kaharingan Religion High School; Erli Susanto,
SMKN 4 in Palangka Raya; Ervianti, SMK Isen
Mulang; and Satria Jaya, SMUN 3 in Palangka
Raya.
Beneficiaries are selected from poor households,
and they have to have good potential as students.
In the interviews the students described how the
scholarships were very helpful in their studies,
covering tuition fees, books and other study
materials. Because their parents are unable to
always send money, many students have to work
part-time to cover their expenses. To ensure
continuity of their education, YTS has decided to
cover fully all tuition fees and monthly living costs.
For the year 2004-2005, we have already received
applications for 5 new scholarships. A decision
on these applicants will be make in October 2004.
Scholarships are given for 1 year stretches and
then evaluated before being renewed. The policy
of the yayasan is to provide support until the
students complete their education, which may take
2-5 years.
Over the years, about 40 young people have been
helped to complete their education under this
program.
Healthy Baby Competition
The Polyclinic in
Tumbang Napoi
organized a Healthy
Baby Competition
on September 24.
This event was
facilitated by YTS,
while CARE
International
provided health
equipment. The
purpose of the
competition was to Winner of the ‘Healthy Baby Competition’ with his parents in Tumbang Napoi Village
evaluate the
nutritional status of
children under five, and to motivate mothers to monitor the growth of their
child regularly. As a result of this event, more mothers are expected to
become active in the ongoing Mother and Child Program.
The competition used standard appraisal criteria from the Health Services
of Gunung Mas District. These included: immunization status, weight-to-
length ratio, age and income level of mother and father, and involvement in
the Mother and Child activity. The jury was headed by Rayani, the village
midwife. She was selected the best model midwife in the district in 2004.
The Board of the Mother and Child program also assisted. During the
competition, YTS provided all participants with a food supplement made
from sago palm and milk. The midwife gave another food supplement to
enhance breast milk production for 6-11 month old children, as well as a
Vitamin A supplement for all children.
The participants were divided into 2 categories: Group I, 6-24 months, and
Group II, 2-5 years. The winners in Group I were Lolly, Firman, and Pepen. In
Group II it was Dandi, Asi, and Yeyi.

Clean Water Program (Hydram)

Book Support Program The clean water

program, which
The yayasan continued to supply text books to provides hydram
schools in three villages: Mangkuhung, Napoi, pumps, is not
and Karetau Sarian. Packaged sets of books were running smoothly in
given to play groups and to elementary schools, some villages. In
from Class I to VI. Topics included are: Natural Tumbang Napoi,
Science, Social Science, Mathematics, the Five there’s been no
Principles and Citizen Education, and Indonesian water supply since
Language. June because the
dam is broken. An
The books have been designed to follow the attempt was made
‘Competency-Based-Curriculum’, which is the to remedy the
current approach of the Education Ministry. problem and add a
Hydram pump in Tumbang Anoi village connected to the Betang (Long) House
new pump in mid-
Since there is no school library, the new books August, but only 5-7
will be managed by the school authority or people turned up so it was not possible to complete the work.
homeroom teacher. They will be freely circulated,
so students can borrow them whenever they want In Mangkuhung village, there still are only a few houses receiving water. The
to supplement their learning. Each school is person responsible for installing the connection from the main pipe to each
expected to report on how their books were used. house is busy in Palangka Raya. Both the dam and water tank are leaking.
The plan is to repair the water tank permanently with cement.
Already, the Head of the Education Service in
Gunung Mas District has commented very In Tumbang Manyoi, the villagers agreed to move the dam to the Hajihi River
favorably on this program. behind the village, about 500 meters from its current position. The new dam
will be a permanent concrete structure, 15 meters wide. It will take about 6
months to re-install the dam, the hydram pump, the water tank, and to connect
all the houses. Villagers should be enjoying clean water by the beginning of
2005.
Kabar Itah - Edition 3 3
Proposal for Regional Development Working Groups Training for Distilling Patchouli Oil
To follow up the two Regional Development workshops held earlier, it has
been proposed to form multi-stakeholder Working Groups at Provincial and
District levels. Initially, these Working Groups would be composed of
representatives from government, civil society, and business.
Representatives from donor agencies would be invited to join a little later. A
concept paper on this is currently under consideration.

The first task of these groups is to collaborate on preparing a picture of the

current state of development in the Province: what resources are available
– natural, human, institutional, infrastructure; what are the most immediate
opportunities to utilize these resources; what is the current thinking about
how best to accelerate development; and what are the gaps, constraints,
and obstacles to development. Each sector is likely to be treated separately,
but the cross-sector linkages and interdependencies will be articulated. Process of distilling patchouli from Tumbang Napoi Village

All of this information should be presented fairly simply, so the reality and
prospects are easily and quickly grasped. The important thing is show the In July, Pak Umbes and Pak Suhartono, two
potential and the constraints to realizing the potential. The following format villagers from Tumbang Napoi, tested the quality
is suggested: of their first patchouli crop in a distilling machine
in Sei Gohong, Tangkiling. The patchouli leaves
1. Current Situation were ‘cooked’ in the 200 kg capacity machine
- Existing Resources for 4-6 hours. During the process, the villagers
- Existing Opportunities were briefed on the entire production and
- Existing Constraints, Obstacles, and Gaps marketing cycle: cultivation and distillation
techniques, bug and disease management, and
2. Future Situation cash flow analysis.
- Development Goals
- Strategies and Tactics to achieve Goals Initial results from distilling the 170 kg of dry
- Priority Activities patchouli leaves from Napoi showed a
concentration of 2,2%, which was confirmed
Once the information is organized, it will be presented to the donor community later from a sample sent to Jakarta for testing. If
to see who might be interested in joining a Partnership and Support Program the concentration value is higher than 2.0, it is
for Regional Development. very positive.

The training facilitator, Pak Hari Waluyo,

considered the patchouli plants from Tumbang
Staff Development and Network Strengthening Napoi to be very good quality. Even though it had
been a long time since harvesting, the
July 19-31: Ros Siana, concentration and quality of the oil remained
YTS’s governance high. Results would be much better if cultivation
expert, attended a
techniques were improved.
Training of Trainers
course sponsored by
the EU South Central
Kalimantan Production Upcoming Activities
Forest Project, in
cooperation with the
government of Presentation of PRA Output in Sub-district and
Katingan District. The District Levels. YTS will facilitate the presentation
training was aimed at of Village Development Plans by villagers to the
improving the ability of Kahayan Hulu Utara Sub-district and Gunung
district officers and Participants of Sustainable Rubber Training in Buntoi Village Mas District in October and November 2004.
private institutions to
build up the capacity of the village council. The main output was to produce Rubber Training in Tumbang Manyoi. A training
a simple module, a guideline on the Village Council Training Method. A is planned on 6-7 October 2004. The facilitator
needs assessment in Habangoi village showed that the village council is from CARE International in Palangka Raya,
members there had never attended any training and did not understand assisted by officers from the Forestry and
their tasks clearly. The main village council tasks and functions will be an Plantation Service of Gunung Mas District.
important component in the training module.
Green Forum Meeting. The foundation will host
August 3-7: Two YTS staff, Tohar and Naumi, attended a rubber training a Green Forum members’ meeting on mining
event hosted by CARE International in Kalumpang and Buntoi villages. The and sustainable development in November.
focus of the training was on rubber cultivation using a bud grafting system.
The training was very useful because some of the training topics were Village Hydram Installation. Hydram clean water
relevant to problems faced in YTS villages. As a result, a similar training is systems will be maintained and re-constructed
planned as a follow up to needs identified in the PRA Village Development by villagers to guarantee a continuous supply.
Plans, with the hope that it will improve the quality and quantity of rubber
production, and thereby give a boost to family and village economies.
Kabar Itah - Edition 3 4