News

Development Award – Winner

Fakhrurrazi, Village Facilitator - Local Governance and Infrastructure for Communities in Aceh Project

A constant advocate and tireless campaigner for the needs of villagers, Pak Fakhurrazi (Fakhrul) has demonstrated a commitment to empowering and building the capacity of local Acehnese communities.

Since joining AIPRD in the interim phase of LOGICA (Local Government and Infrastructure for Communities in Aceh) he has worked as a full time village facilitator in one of the worst tsunami affected areas in Aceh and due to his unwavering dedication, has been awarded the 2006 HAI Development Award.

Fakhrul has been able to gain the trust of leaders and work across a range of target groups ranging from children to teenagers, adult community members, political leaders and decision makers.  He successfully organised local leaders and villagers to conduct a needs assessment and lobby public officials to provide a regular supply of electricity to their village.  Also working with local teenagers in two villages, Fakhrul has helped develop basic computer training courses to enhance employability.

“Fakhrul has demonstrated his capacity to empower local villages to clearly identify their short and long term needs and assist them to take appropriate action that will lead to realistic outcomes,” commented a representative from the selection panel.

After experiencing personal loss and trauma due to both the conflict in Aceh and the tsunami, Fakhrul has managed to rise above adversity.  He and his family still live in temporary housing and collect water daily from the village well.  It is these personal experiences that motivate Fakhrul in his work.

“I’m part of the community and so I have a responsibility to help them, they are my family and I feel what they feel,” he says.

He became interested in LOGICA because of its focus on the community and derives self-fulfilment from the opportunity to help his community improve their lives.  Fakhrul believes the people of Aceh have great capacity and with guidance and support they will make a better life for themselves.

“Fakhrul’s efforts have directly resulted in measurable improvements in the living conditions of people most affected by the tsunami, and have led to confidence building and the empowerment of villagers in seeking effective responses to their needs,” explained Jeff Herbert, LOGICA Team Leader.

Local villagers often identify Fakhrul as a ‘brother’ and consult him in the resolution of community disputes.

Fakhrul sincerely hopes the LOGICA program will continue for some time to come.  He believes the program is making a real difference in Acehnese communities but with such massive destruction, the communities are not yet able to live sustainably without external support.

Having never travelled outside Indonesia, Fakhrul is looking forward to attending two weeks of community development training in Australia in February 2007 as part of the HAI Development Award.  He is eager to broaden his knowledge and skills in the areas of needs assessments and community profiling, community advocacy, conflict resolution and dispute settlement and he hopes to apply these skills to further help the people of Aceh.

In the future Fakhrul would like to continue helping the communities of Aceh, whether as part of a program or simply as member of the community.