Ncera village: Growing up in Ncera Village, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, Novi Rahmanita has seen how climate change and economic challenges have impacted farming families. Now, she is the Treasurer of Sakola Ndai, a women's group promoting community involvement and literacy. This group supports children from migrant farming families and encourages women to play a more active role in community life.
According to UN Women, the WE NEXUS project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by UN Women with Wahid Foundation, La Rimpu, and LP2DER, has played a key role in enhancing Novi's leadership skills. The project has empowered her to foster positive change in her village.
Novi shares her personal experiences as the daughter of migrant farmers, witnessing the struggles of families affected by climate change. The once abundant river has dried up, and rice fields have become barren, forcing nearly 70% of families in the village to work as migrant farmers. This reality prompted her to question how women could make a difference.
Through leadership and community training, Novi learned that change often starts with small actions. She and other women formed Sakola Ndai to create a safe space for children to learn and play while their parents were away. Despite initial challenges, such as low attendance, the group persevered, driven by the desire to support children with no caretakers at home.
The initiative has inspired other women in the village to engage more actively in community discussions. Women have gained confidence in sharing ideas and working collaboratively to address village challenges. Novi emphasizes that resilience is built through trust, cooperation, and unwavering commitment to each other.
Today, the progress of the children and the increased participation of women in community issues reaffirm the importance of their efforts. Novi hopes that every child in the village feels supported and that every woman believes her voice matters, demonstrating that small actions can indeed lead to lasting change.