Sarolangun, 16 July 2024 - In commemoration of National Children's Day, Pundi Sumatra together with Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of Balai Produksi Hutan Lestari (BPHL) Region IV Jambi successfully held a donation distribution and productive seedlings for two Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) communities in Bathin VIII District, Sarolangun Regency, Jambi Province. The event, which began at 10 am, took place with great enthusiasm and togetherness for all planting participants.

The event began with the delivery of remarks by Pundi Sumatra, Head of BPHL Region IV Jambi, Head of Sarolangun Regency Social Service, as well as remarks from Tumenggung Juray as the head of the Suku Anak Dalam Community group. After the speeches, donations of clothes, groceries & books were handed over by the Head of BPHL to Tumenggung Juray.

The event then continued with symbolic planting of productive seedlings by government representatives and DWP BPHL Region IV Jambi, which was then followed by planting participants. There were 250 productive seedlings such as Durian, longan, guava, mango, and areca nut, also given to the Suku Anak Dalam community as an effort to support food sustainability and community economic improvement. In the midst of efforts to overcome the ongoing food security crisis among Suku Anak Dalam, this activity is expected to be an effective long-term solution.

The food security crisis affecting Suku Anak Dalam does require attention and sustainable solutions.

"Actually, one of Pundi Sumatra's main focuses with the ESTUNGKARA programme and also IFAD is to encourage food security efforts in these indigenous communities. Forest change makes them a community that may lose their identity," said Dewi, CEO of Pundi Sumatra.

The same thing was also conveyed by the Head of BPHL Region IV Jambi, Mr Wahyu Nurhidayat, he said that this productive seedling assistance hopes to be a plant that can be used by the community when harvesting. "In addition to them being accustomed to taking fruits in the forest, we also want to teach them how to take care of the trees from their garden so that one day they can harvest them themselves," he said.

With these productive seedlings, the Suku Anak Dalam community is expected to develop productive gardens that will help them meet their food needs independently in the future. The planting of these seedlings is expected to provide significant results, not only for daily needs, but also as a source of additional income.

This activity also received a warm welcome from the local government. The Head of Sarolangun Regency Social Service, Mr Helmi, who attended the event, appreciated the efforts Subscribe to DeepL Pro to edit this document. Visit www.DeepL.com/pro for more information. made by Pundi Sumatra and DWP BPHL Region IV Jambi. "This activity is very positive and has a real impact on our community. I hope this kind of cooperation can continue," he said.

In addition to providing productive seedlings, Pundi Sumatra also distributed school supplies, such as uniforms, school shoes, notebooks, and clothes to Suku Anak Dalam children. The distribution of educational scholarships also coincides with the new school year for children who are still in school.

The donation of school supplies was the closing activity at the planting event. Pundi Sumatra and DWP BPHL Region IV Jambi hope that with activities like this, the Suku Anak Dalam community can be more empowered and independent.