The establishment of the Palambon Pucuk Baguas Young Farmers Group (KTM PPB) early October 2011 made me visit to stay at Loncek more often. At times, I would follow stay overnight woth the forest harvesters while discussing the future of their village. On another note, the men who became members of KTM PPB are forest harvesters, while its women members are palm oil workers and rubber tappers. All of them were school dropouts.
Edi and Leonardus, are the main movers of the organisation. To fund his education, Edi even had to harvest the forest. While Leo is the leader for the Young Catholic Youths (OMK) Loncek. In the first part of the PNPM Peduli program, Leo was chosen as leader for KTM PPB. While Edi became the facilitator local for the program. He had also attended the facilitator training in Jogjakarta carried out by the organisation.
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One afternoon, in the middle of 2012 Edi approached me smiling widely. In his hand was a small, green colored book with Dayak motives.
“What is that?”
“It’s a CU savings book. KTM PPB now have their own savings fund ,” said Edi showing me the book.