It was an unusually busy afternoon in the tranquil village of Kesetnana in the South-Central Timor district of East Nusa Tenggara. Men and women of all ages at neighborhood (RT) 30 hurried to gather at the house of their local leader, Ms. Adriana Lemanah. “We heard the loud whistle from Mama RT’s house, which is the signal for villagers to come together,” explained Sefrina Banunaek, a local resident. “Today, our focus is planting trees around our springs,” she added.
Addressing her constituents, Adriana noted the critical importance of planting trees around Kesetnana’s local springs. “Planting trees is essential to replenish water resources and safeguard our water supply,” she explained. Kesetnana has experienced prolonged drought exacerbated by El Nino. With decreasing rainfall, springs that are important water sources for the local water utility and the community have dried up. This situation has disrupted the water utility’s ability to provide continuous and sufficient services and forced thousands of families in the village to seek alternative water sources. Often, these alternatives come at higher costs, further burdening families already grappling to meet their daily needs.
To address this complex challenge, Adriana partnered with the district environment office, Benaain Noelmina Watershed Management Agency, and USAID IUWASH Tangguh to commence tree planting in Kesetnana’s spring catchment areas in March 2024. To support this effort, local government agencies supplied 750 trees for gradual planting. Community involvement in the reforestation effort extends beyond planting to nurturing and protecting the trees, ensuring they effectively contribute to water replenishment goals.
Four months into the project, Adriana continues to lead the nurturing of the trees. “The villagers collaborate closely in these efforts, dividing into three groups based on our proximity to the planting areas,” she explained, highlighting the community-driven approach. Adriana emphasized their ongoing dedication, stating, “We are committed to nurturing these trees so they can thrive and provide lasting benefits. We undertake these tasks wholeheartedly to secure abundant water resources and preserve the environment for future generations.”
Adriana Lemanah exemplifies proactive female leadership in addressing the impacts of climate change and safeguarding community water sources. Her decisive actions and leadership not only inspire residents of Kesetnana but also provide strong evidence of how individuals can create meaningful change in the face of critical climate challenges.
Available in 
