In every village, the position of Village Head is an important position that leads the direction of development and progress of a village. The same is true in Nemnemleleu Village. Nemnemleleu Village, Mentawai Islands is an assisted area by the Citra Mandiri Mentawai Foundation (YCMM) in the Estungkara program. This village is located in the south of Sipora Island, Mentawai Islands Regency, West Sumatra. According to the results of a population survey, this village is categorized as an extremely poor village. Therefore, the village government needs to make a big breakthrough to get out of this predicate.
Balsanus Saogo, Head of Nemnemleleu Village, has led an area of + 12,273 KM since 2008. His administrative area consists of 6 hamlets. Before serving as Village Head, Balsanus was previously a Planning Head in Nemnemleleu Village. In 2014-2015, he became PJ. Village Head who then in 2019-2021 he became Interim Replacement Village Head (PAW). And only in 2021 was he elected as the Definitive Village Head in the simultaneous village head election for the period 2022-2027.
The thing that is of special concern to Balsanus during his future administration is to realize good, clean and trustworthy village governance so that the community is prosperous. This is stated in his vision and mission. The six hamlets that are his territory are not easy terrain to traverse. This is because road access is still not good and other infrastructure is inadequate.
"Since YCMM entering Nemnemleleu Village, through the approach he took, many things have started to change. For example, the agricultural road that was previously just an agricultural road has now been designated as an evacuation route. Since then, various development accelerations have begun to be eyed in the southern region so that now the road to Nemnemleleu Village can be passed by cars," said Balsanus during a village meeting.
In Nemnemleleu Village there are 648 residents Woman, and 421 of them are Heads of Families. This is an important concern. Balsanus said that so far women's involvement in village activities has actually touched 50%. However, none have been involved in village government, such as Village Heads or Hamlet Heads.
"So far, women's participation in the village office has existed, such as during meetings in the village office. However, their active involvement in expressing opinions has not yet existed," he added.
According to the man born on December 4, 1976, YCMM through the Estungkara program has provided intensive assistance to the community, and has even organized awareness activities for the community about equal roles for marginalized groups so that many activities and capacity building have been obtained by village officials and the village community itself, both in paralegal training to become supervisors in assisting victims of sexual violence, training for people with disabilities so that they are able to have self-confidence, even increasing the capacity of Village Officials in making Village Regulations and assistance activities for women's groups in managing local food and others.
The special Pramusdus for women that has been held is a big leap that women are able to speak up and convey their needs at the village level.
"This is because we see the role of women as important in development, so start speaking up to ensure that children and families also feel the benefits of development in the future," said Balsanus.
Balsanus also conveyed the importance of the role of disabilities in the village development process. He considered that anyone could become disabled, especially if it happened to women, then it would be a double burden.
"In the identification data of the Destana program organized by YCMM, there are around 30 people with disabilities. We also need to involve them equally in every development process. This year we have included assistance for people with disabilities according to their needs," he said.
In his administration, he has also chosen the Head of Hamlet in North Nemnemleleu, namely Herianto Zagoto, who is also a disabled person. He considered his representation in government very important as a village apparatus in addition to his good capacity.
According to Balsanus, becoming the Village Head in Nemnemleleu, South Sipora District, is not easy. In addition to having to fix many things, he also needs to ensure that all parties can play an equal role in implementing GEDSI values.
Tarida Hernawati, Program Manager of the Initiative for Improving Services for Indigenous Community Inclusion (SIPAUMAT) YCMM, said that the Head of Nemnemleleu Village is a figure who really wants to make good changes for his village.
"The village head is quite open to input, suggestions and even criticism to build the village including about GEDSI as a new perspective in the village government environment. Even the local government and he are also young figures who are willing and brave to try to develop innovation in his village," said Tarida.
