Get to Know Where Your Mussels Come From, Let's Live with Fishers!

All in all, what they brought to me on my plate, or glass? (whatever) was a really mind-blowing of a kind. I found modesty, easygoing, and relaxed way of living despite of the socio-ecological crisis in their surroundings, especially on the hygiene part.   

I feel sorry as well as happy to share my knowledge on living healthy and the spirit of protecting the ocean to children of Kalibaru as part of my group’s social project, and also to discuss about the correct fishing methods with my host family (with a bit of political issues chit-chat and a bit of dancing). Nevertheless, I know I am no superhero. The short stay can never guarantee that I could flip the communities’ life 360o. I can only hope that my two cents would be useful for their future endeavor.

If you asked me, why feeling sorry?

Well that is because I can’t help of feeling helpless to solve the bigger picture, the complicated life of coastal community. As far as I know, not only in Kalibaru Cilincing, the life of fishers is exceptional comparing to the life of farmers in mountainous/higher landscape or the life of other underprivileged communities. The coastal communities are blessed with coastal and underwater beauty and boundless marine resources, yet the development of possible sustainable fisheries and sustainable tourism for their livelihood improvement is minimal. In order to start those alternative solutions, in my opinion, some research will do.

Last but not least, the people of Kalibaru, Cilincing are really good people, I wish wonderful things in life for them.

PS: the end of live-in program is just the beginning.