Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua – The Molobin Raja Ampat Foundation (MORA) conducted a follow-up outreach activity in Yenbeser Village on Sunday (June 21) as part of efforts to strengthen the readiness of the Yenbeser Women's Group in implementing sasi. This activity marks a significant step toward ensuring the group's understanding, community support, and village readiness in implementing this customary-based natural resource management practice. As previously known, MORA has once again become a grant recipient partner for Cycle 6 of the Blue Abadi Fund Innovation, where in this new cycle, MORA will focus on the Women's Sasi program in Raja Ampat.
Sasi is a traditional customary rule that imposes a temporary ban on harvesting natural resources, both on land and at sea, for a specified period. This practice aims to allow natural resources to recover and thrive, ensuring they can be harvested sustainably by the community in the future.
The MORA team was warmly welcomed by the Head of Yenbeser Village, Arnolis Dimara, alongside members of the Women's Sasi Group, including Luisa Leasiwal and Helena Mambraku. The meeting took place in an open and participatory atmosphere, reflecting the community's enthusiasm for the planned implementation of sasi, which will be led by the village’s women's group.
Over the course of approximately three hours, discussions focused on strengthening the understanding of the concepts and mechanisms of sasi implementation, while also addressing alternative livelihood development strategies for members of the women's group during the closure period. During the meeting, participants also identified several marine species with the potential to become sasi targets, as part of efforts to preserve coastal resources that have long been the community's livelihood.
Additionally, the women's group began mapping out various alternative business options and economic activities that could be developed while the sasi period is underway. This step is expected to help maintain household economic stability while supporting the successful implementation of sasi at the village level.
The Head of Yenbeser Village, Arnolis Dimara, expressed his support for the initiative. According to him, the implementation of sasi by the women's group holds great potential to empower women's roles in natural resource management while providing economic and social benefits for the community.
"We hope this sasi program runs smoothly and receives full support from the entire community of Yenbeser Village. Beyond preserving natural resources, this activity is also expected to strengthen the role of women and deliver a positive impact on family welfare in the village," Arnolis said.
He added that the implementation of sasi is planned to commence in August 2026, taking into consideration weather conditions and the village's busy schedule over the next few months.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Molobin Raja Ampat Foundation, Beatrix Chyntika Rahawarin, emphasized that this follow-up outreach is part of mentoring efforts to ensure the women's group has adequate capacity and readiness to run sasi independently and sustainably.
"We hope this mentoring process can boost the confidence and capacity of the women's group in managing sasi activities. The success of this initiative requires close collaboration among the community, village government, and the women's group, so it can serve as an model for community-based natural resource management in Raja Ampat," Beatrix stated. Through this activity, MORA alongside the people of Yenbeser Village hope that the implementation of sasi will become a tangible effort in conserving marine resources while strengthening the role of women in sustainable development and environmental management.
