From Forest to Flourishing: A Father's Journey to Food Security

Gori is the head of a family and father to five daughters in a village in Asmat Regency, Papua. For a long time, Gori had no permanent job. He used to be a carpenter in the forest, but he can no longer do it because he lacks the tools. His family's economy had been unstable. However, an opportunity arose when Gori started taking care of a floating garden. 

Initially, Gori established the floating vegetable garden to meet his family's vegetable needs. With seven family members, Gori needed a lot of food. He also wanted to ensure that his five daughters' nutritional needs were met so that they could grow and develop optimally. It was for the sake of his family that Gori decided to work on the floating vegetable garden. It turned out that the produce from Gori's floating vegetable garden could also become a new source of income and revive the family's economy. 

"I haven't had any money because I haven't been working as a carpenter anymore. With this garden, I can earn money and I can feed my wife and children fresh vegetables. I don't need to go far into the forest anymore," he said. Since he was unemployed, Gori made ends meet by foraging for food in the forest. With this garden, he no longer had to struggle to find vegetables in the forest. He could also sell some of the vegetables he planted. He used the proceeds to buy his children's necessities. 

"I'm so happy to be able to work in the garden. I can earn money and my children can eat vegetables anytime," said the 47-year-old man. Gori's participation is very valuable to the floating vegetable garden in Asmat Regency because he is very diligent. Every morning, he waters the plants, and if it rains at night, he waters the plants in the afternoon. 

To ensure that his children's meals are balanced, Gori still diligently goes to the forest to find animal protein sources such as fish and shrimp. In the forest, it is easier for him to find animal protein sources than vegetables. He usually takes his wife and some of his children to help him find food in the forest. "Even though we already have vegetables, I still have to look for sago, fish, and shrimp so that my children stay healthy," he said. 

Gori and his family's menu is now more colorful. His five daughters can also eat better every day, without having to wait for vegetables from the forest. 

Author: Albert Robert Dodi (Field Facilitator at Asmat Area Programme) 

Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)