In Jati-Jati Village, Merauke, Mama Kostansia Nauce and Kak Didima Dawoke prove that courage to try and persistence to keep going can open the door to a better future. Amid various challenges, both women chose to continue learning and planting hope through vegetable farming with the support and mentoring of YBTS.

Their journey was not built overnight. Every planting season became a valuable learning process, from preparing the land and caring for the crops to dealing with pests and unpredictable weather conditions. Through regular mentoring, Mama Kostansia and Kak Didima gradually became more confident in cultivating the new purple eggplant variety, M72 F1.

What started as a simple willingness to try has now grown into meaningful results. With patience, dedication, and hard work, they successfully reached their 4th harvest of M72 F1 purple eggplants. The crops are growing well, the harvest continues, and the land they carefully nurture is slowly creating additional income opportunities for their families.

“If we keep taking care of it and never give up, there will always be results to enjoy,” said Kak Didima.

For Mama Kostansia and Kak Didima, farming is more than simply growing vegetables. It has become a space to learn, grow, and prove that women also have the power to play an important role in improving their families’ welfare and strengthening their communities.

Today, their journey stands as an inspiration for many others, especially indigenous communities in Merauke, showing that opportunities can grow from anywhere — even from a piece of land cared for with patience, resilience, and hope.

Read more stories on: What We Do – Bina Tani Sejahtera