In Hoder village, nestled between coastal plains and hills, a 39-year-old early childhood education tutor named Fransiska Odilia, they usually call her as Ody, has undergone a profound transformation since the arrival of the AKTIF-P Program, facilitated by Yayasan FREN and YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU). Known to children as a patient and loving teacher, Ody is also a woman farmer who wrestles daily with soil, water, and increasingly unpredictable seasons on her family’s land.
Since joining the women’s group Dua Jaga Nian, Ody’s focus has expanded beyond cultivating a thriving garden. She now thinks about how her village can withstand drought and other disasters triggered by extreme dry spells. Entrusted as the group’s treasurer, Ody plays an active role in the Women-Led Anticipatory Action Program (AKTIF-P), coordinating drought preparedness efforts—securing livestock feed and promoting local food sources as vital nutrition during emergencies.
For Ody, this experience opened new horizons. “I used to only know gardening and teaching children. I didn’t know much about Hoder village itself. But through this program, I’ve learned to read natural signs across each hamlet, understand when droughts are likely to occur, interpret BMKG warnings, and prepare anticipatory steps before disaster strikes,” she shared.
Today, she speaks confidently in village meetings. She feels heard. She’s learned that women can be decision-makers, not just beneficiaries. “I feel capable of coordinating activities, offering input, and helping shape small-scale policies in our village,” she added. This change has reached her family too. When the village was placed under drought emergency status, Ody and her group took the initiative to voice community concerns to the village government and disaster management agency (BPBD). As a result, water tanks and clean water aid arrived real needs met with real action. “We didn’t just wait. We coordinated and spoke up through village discussions. This is the result of AKTIF-P’s training and mentoring,” she said.
Perubahan itu juga terasa hingga ke keluarganya. Saat desanya berada dalam status siaga bencana kekeringan parah, Ody bersama kelompoknya berinisiatif menyampaikan keluhan warga kepada pemerintah desa dan BPBD. Hasilnya, bantuan tangki profil dan air bersih akhirnya datang. Sebuah kebutuhan nyata yang akhirnya dijawab dengan aksi nyata. “Kami tidak hanya menunggu, tapi berkoordinasi dan terlibat langsung menyampaikan pendapat melalui musyawarah di Desa. Ini hasil dari pelatihan dan pendampingan AKTIF-P,” ujarnya.
Despite challenges like transportation and distance between activity sites, Ody and her group never gave up. With a spirit of solidarity, they used available funds to keep activities going.
“The key is unity. If we stand together, there’s nothing we can’t overcome,” she affirmed.
Now, the community sees women’s groups not as accessories, but as pioneers. They are recognized for their wisdom and strategic response to drought threats. Ody’s journey is a story of transformation—from an ordinary village woman to a resilient and inspiring leader. She teaches children not only letters and numbers, but also plants the seeds of hope: that women can be guardians of life amid climate change and the challenges of our time.