The Power of Mama: Mothers as the Frontline Guardians of the Forest
When most people began to relax at home, a group of mothers on the outskirts of Ketapang village was preparing to go around the village. Not for grocery shopping or huddling, but for patrolling. In fiery red clothes and in high spirits, they walked down the path, examining fire-prone spots.
Ketapang is an area where the majority of the population work as farmers and ranchers. The main commodity in the region is oil palm, due to its suitable climate and the ability of this crop to be harvested throughout the year.
Meanwhile, rice grown in Ketapang is generally a type of sendua rice or annual rice, which can only be harvested twice a year. This is in contrast to the Java region, where rice can be harvested up to three or four times a year. This difference is caused by low rainfall around Ketapang, which has an impact on the availability of water for agriculture.
Most of the land in Ketapang is peatland, which is moist soil formed from piles of plant remains that have not been completely destroyed. When the dry season comes, this type of soil becomes very dry and flammable. Coupled with strong winds, fires can spread quickly. Even a carelessly thrown cigarette butt can be a trigger for a fire.
Every dry season, fires can occur 1-2 times a year, bringing major impacts such as on land yields, air pollution, and citizen health. Seeing this threat repeated, mothers in some villages decided not to remain silent. They formed The Power of Mama (TPOM), a group of resilient mothers who regularly monitor fire hotspots and actively educate residents about early prevention of forest fires.
Starting with the initiation of Mrs. Siti and Mrs. Maimun, in Sukamaju Village and Pematang Gadung Village. Currently, TPOM has been present in eight villages: Pematang Gadung, Sungai Besar, Suka Maju, Sungai Awan Kiri, Tanjung Pura, Ulak Medang, Kuala Tolak, and Sungai Putri. Every day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., they patrol along fire risk points.
In addition to routine patrols, TPOM also actively socializes directly to residents about the dangers of indiscriminate land burning and the importance of preserving the environment. They do not necessarily prohibit the activity of burning land, but emphasize education about safe burning—such as creating water ditches as a barrier so that the fire does not spread, providing extinguishers on site, and ensuring that the burning process when clearing land is supervised by related parties. This approach is TPOM’s way of bridging local customs with fire prevention efforts, encouraging residents to be more careful and responsible in managing their land.
The presence of TPOM brings real changes in the surrounding environment. Cases of fires that used to occur frequently are now significantly reduced, and citizens are increasingly aware of the importance of early prevention. However, the patrol terrain that these mothers have to go through is far from easy. Rocky roads, remote locations, to hot weather become daily challenges that cannot be considered trivial.
One of the funny but memorable stories came from Mrs. Daniar when she was patrolling with Mrs. Waskia. He recalled one incident: ‘we were on patrol and saw a fire. I panicked, so focused on the fire that I didn’t realize there was a palm trunk in front. Because I was too focused on the fire, I even crashed into the palm tree! I fell, but instead of getting sick, I laughed at myself. Then it immediately rose again, continue to serve.” The story became a picture of the tireless spirit as well as the warm side of their struggle. Because behind the hard work and the risks they face, there is laughter, friendship and the strength that grows from being together.
Many TPOM members initially did not have technical skills. But through various trainings such as fire fighting, the use of drones, the manufacture of organic fertilizers, public communication, and the use of social media and photography, they continue to learn and develop. TPOM proves that women are also able to be environmentalists, firefighters, as well as drivers of change in their communities.
The impact of the existence of TPOM is very visible. Residents began to switch to more environmentally friendly methods of clearing land, such as the use of herbicides. TPOM not only extinguishes the fire, but also ignites the awareness of protecting nature.
Their stories are also not always serious. When the patrol coincides with the harvest season, the mothers often get fresh fruit souvenirs from the residents. In between small talk, they slip socialization about the dangers of forest fires, urge not to burn land, explain the risks, and introduce safer ways. Patrol is also a moment to learn, build familiarity, and strengthen their role in the community.
On the anniversary of TPOM, on June 16, 2025, a total of 118 women from eight villages gathered at the yiari (IAR Indonesia Foundation) office, Ketapang. This event is a moment to celebrate three years of their journey, ranging from hard work, togetherness, to real contributions in protecting the environment.
The Power of Mama is not just a name, but a symbol of the strength of village women who dare to guard the Earth for future generations. From the corners of Ketapang, they prove that big changes can start from small steps and sincere spirit.
Auhtor : Theoni Damaris Foedianto
Featured Image: The Power of Mama during fire extinguishing (TPoM Team | YIARI)