Forest, Home, and Hope – The Story of Youth and the Indigenous Community of Klisi Kampung Bring in Papua

Imagine living in a small village in the middle of the Papuan forest. Every day, you can see towering trees, hear the sound of birds, and feel the cool natural air. For the Syuglue Woi Yansu Indigenous Community in Bring Village, this is more than just a view—it is a home, a source of life, and an ancestral heritage. The Indigenous Community in Bring Village lives together with 10 other villages in the Jayapura Grime Valley, which is the traditional territory of the Klisi Tribe. 

However, everything changed. The forest that had been the mainstay of life began to be damaged. The activities of logging companies, climate change, and pest attacks made the land no longer productive. Cocoa, which used to be the pride of the village, is now just a story. Many residents lost their jobs, some became laborers, others were unemployed. Indigenous communities also experienced the threat of expansion of logging companies that exploited forest products.

In the midst of this situation, a glimmer of hope emerged. The village youth formed the Indigenous Youth Community imoge Ku—a forum for young people, women and men, who care about the forest, the environment, and the future of the village. They are not alone.

Also present with them was the Klisi Indigenous Community, consisting of elders, indigenous women, and community leaders from the village. This community is an important partner in ensuring that all processes are carried out based on customary values, deliberation, and mutual agreement. With the strength of these two communities, the people of Bring Village launched two main initiatives, namely the restoration of customary forests and the construction of reading houses.

Restoration began by identifying damaged land—around 5.000 hectares, a former area of ​​company activity. Together, the youth and Indigenous Peoples planted: 500 ironwood trees, 500 matoa trees, 500 robusta coffee seedlings, 500 sago tree shoots. These types of plants were chosen because they are beneficial to the environment and have economic value for the community. This is not just about planting trees, but also about reviving the relationship between humans and nature.

In addition to the forest, they also built an important space: a reading house. In this place, children can read books, learn about traditional history, get to know the environment, and grow big dreams for the future of the village. The construction of the reading house was carried out with the principle of mutual cooperation. The Klisi community helped to draw up plans, set budgets, determine locations, and provide workers. Everyone was involved, everyone felt ownership.

Now, both the Youth Community imoge Both Ku and the Klisi Indigenous Community realize that the struggle to protect forests and customary lands must be done together. They learn to strengthen each other, complement each other.

This story is not just about one village in Papua. It is a picture that the power of change can start right from the grassroots. That when young people and indigenous people unite, forests can be protected, land can be restored, and dreams can be replanted.