My name is Raudhah. I work as a Community Organizer for the Yayasan Keadilan dan Perdamaian Indonesia (YKPI) in Aceh. My focus is on supporting the community in Gampong Jalin, Kota Jantho District, Aceh Besar Regency. My role in the field is not just about conducting assessments or collecting data. It is also about trying to understand how people live their daily lives. I take part in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), interviews, and simple conversations. These often give me a more complete picture of the village.
One of the most significant and interesting findings in Gampong Jalin is the togetherness among women, especially the mothers who are active in activities like PKK (Family Welfare Empowerment) and posyandu (integrated health posts). They know each other well, keep in touch, and try to maintain good relationships among residents. This social connection is not always visible in formal ways, but it exists in everyday life. There is an effort to understand each other and keep the situation peaceful within the community.
However, on the other hand, I also see that women’s involvement is still stronger in social spaces. They have not yet fully entered decision-making spaces. They are active in activities, but they are not yet deeply involved in determining the direction of village policies. In addition, vulnerable groups are also not clearly visible in village planning, mainly because there is no disaggregated data. For me, this is interesting because it shows that the potential is actually there, but it has not yet been connected to more strategic processes. I then use the assessment data not only to map problems but also to read opportunities: how these existing relationships can become a doorway to encourage more meaningful participation.
This mentoring process has changed the way I see field work. Before, I might have focused more on “what the problem is.” But now, I am starting to look more at “what already exists and can be strengthened.” I have also become more aware that not everything can be seen directly on the surface. There are dynamics that can only be understood if we truly take the time to listen. Moreover, I have learned that building trust with the community is not instant. It requires time, presence, and consistency. The most fundamental change in me is a shift in mindset: from a problem-oriented approach to an asset-based community development approach.
Going forward, my work in Gampong Jalin will start from what already exists. One step is to strengthen women’s groups such as PKK and posyandu cadres as a starting space for more reflective discussion, not just routine activities. From there, it is hoped that women can become more involved, not only as implementers but also in decision-making processes. In addition, collecting data on vulnerable groups is an important step so that the village has a clearer basis for planning. Environmental issues, such as river pollution that residents of Gampong Jalin have begun to experience, can also be an entry point to encourage community involvement in collective action.
The biggest challenge is how to encourage truly meaningful participation, especially for women and vulnerable groups, because so far their involvement has been limited. The lack of data also makes the planning process less than optimal. Therefore, the approach cannot be instant. It needs to start with building safe discussion spaces, strengthening existing groups, and slowly encouraging change at a broader level.
In the end, I believe that sustainability is not only determined by the programs that are run, but also by how much the community feels ownership of the process. That is why the approach is to walk together with the community, not to come with ready-made solutions.
Written by: Rose Merry
Based on a written interview with Raudhah, Community Organizer of YKPI, on April 10, 2026
This article is part of YKPI’s “Most Significant Change” series, which documents the experiences of community organizers in supporting communities toward justice and peace from the grassroots.