On October 10 2023, the village government carried out a development planning process at the village level (MusrenbangDes) in the Wangga Meti village office hall, Matawai Lapau District, East Sumba Regency. This MusrebangDes activity was attended by sub-district officials, the Community Health Center (Puskesmas), village assistants, Family Hope Program (PKH) assistants, Bumi Lestari Institute (LBL) field assistants and all the Wangga Meti village community.
During the MusrenbangDes process, Ferdi as the LBL field assistant conveyed several important things that must be considered when preparing village development plans. One of them is that the Village Government must provide space for indigenous communities, indigenous women and people with disabilities in the decision-making process.
"This is because LBL has been focused on carrying out empowerment programs in the community, such as assistance to improve the economy of indigenous communities, assistance to women's groups and assistance to disability forums at the village level," emphasized Ferdi.
From the results of the MusrenbangDes, there are several proposals that will be included in the draft Village Government Work Plan (RKP) for 2024. The proposals include procuring corn seeds, procuring sorghum seeds, procuring vegetable seeds and onion and garlic seeds, providing assistance to people with disabilities in the form of raising chickens and goats, making Village Regulations regarding the formation of Traditional Institutions and procuring studio equipment for traditional institutions.
The Head of Wangga Meti Village, Elis L. Raja, said that the proposal, which had been jointly planned, was expected to be accepted at the district level so that it could answer all the community's concerns so far.
This reflects the government's habit of prioritizing large programs such as the procurement of facilities and infrastructure rather than the main needs of the community. "So many of the programs I proposed above were ignored and accommodated at the district level," explained Ferdi.
Ferdi added that after waiting for further results, a delegation would be formed from each group to oversee the MusrenbangDes plan at the sub-district level development plan deliberation (MusrenbangCam) later. "We are very grateful if our proposal can be accepted and heard," concluded Ferdi.
