Salam ma naun katuluh. Arai ateiku panalu lagi.
It's November already. Another good month to do good works.
While world leaders gather in Glasgow talking and giving speech about how to save this planet, Kalimantan once again is struck by flood. It’s only two months since the flood in Central Kalimantan, now West Kalimantan also has to deal with flood. We also see other sad news from other parts of Indonesia. More environmental disasters, more houses destroyed, more people died, more distress and sorrows.
Last week we visited East Barito for a solidarity actions with the community there. We also managed to observe an active coal mining site in that area in which the company has a dark track record of violating the rights of indigenous people there. What a disturbing sight. Only a few days later, I heard the news from Cop26 that around 190 countries agreed to stop coal for energy by 2030; shall we celebrate it? I doubt it. I am not sure if these trees are still there in the next ten years. I am afraid it will be too late.
Until government, both central and local, acknowledge that we are now in climate emergency and declare their commitment to act solidly to tackle it, nothing will change.
Active coal mining site in Awang District, East Barito , Central Kalimantan.
Disasters are inevitably, but our resolves are unwavering.
In the past six months, we have recruited over 200 young people from five provinces in Kalimantan island to be the part of Youth Act Networks, with 60 active members and 15 young leaders. This can be a ray of hope for Kalimantan’s future.
We are also happy to inform you that forty-eight Ulin Eusideroxylon zwageri seedlings are ready to be planted. It takes six months for these seedlings to be ready. Not only time, but much love and care are poured into these baby trees. We are currently looking for most suitable land to plant these trees. Therefore, we are able to protect Borneo native tree along with Dayak history.
For the first time, we bring students to our six hectares of peat forests in Tangkiling and learn directly from the nature. We enjoy the breeze, gibbon sound and moreover, our hearts are lightened. It's only a small area of the forests, indeed, but we believe we can save more forests like this in the near future and we're determined to do so.
We want to make things better for Kalimantan. In order to achieve this goal, we need you. Every donation you make, every encouragement you give and every good words you say give us strength to press on. Tarima kasih hene.
In gratitude,
Emmanuela Shinta
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