Teminabuan, - On the night of Thursday (11/15), Elna had a meeting with the youth in Sira and Manggroholo villages. There were around 20 youth and several women present. This was the last night Elna was in this village, after 4 days of visiting and seeing directly the traditional activities of the local community.

Elna was given the first opportunity to give her opinion after seeing the traditional activities of the community and visiting the Sira and Manggroholo Village Forests.

"This trip is very impressive for me personally. Because all the way from Sorong to this village, seeing green and very natural forests," said Elna Bastiansen, Southeast Asia and Oceania Program Coordinator from Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN), as a working partner Papua Bentara Association.

Then Elna continued the story of her journey from the first day to her last visit to the Kampung Sira and Manggroholo Village Forests. "Until we were held in the mud and walked far into the forest and walked at night to see Lao-Lao. This was my first experience, but for me, this was very fun," he said.

Elna also gave high appreciation to Maikel Kladit, Mr. Markus and several village youths, who have become excellent tour guides. "I ask this what, why, how and the kinds of questions, all answered and explained very well. I thank all," he said.

After that explanation, Elna was also asked for her opinion on ecotourism plans initiated by village youth. Then Elna said, in general the Village Forest owned by Kampung Sira and Manggroholo is very natural and has the potential for ecotourism. However, it is important to identify the target people or groups like what ecotourism likes.

Elna added, not everyone likes to walk far. So who is the target? This will be discussed later. Then, if there is no guarantee to see Lao-Lao, other alternatives can be found, such as seeing traditional sago making, installing snares or other traditional activities.

Elna also reminded about security. If there are tourists who come, then down to the forest, how is the guarantee of security? If you are attacked by a wild boar or bitten by a poisonous snake, what action is taken? Because the location is far away, it is a 1 hour walk.

"When it comes to the cottage, it is very good. I feel comfortable in the cottage, can sleep very comfortably in Hamock. So about the cottage, I think there is no problem," he explained.

After that, Elna was also asked about the condition of the forest in her country. It was explained, if in his country Norway, there were only three trees, and very different from in Papua, the trees were very large. The country of Norway also has 2 seasons, namely spring and autumn. All the time is always cold, even to minus degrees Celsius. Until there is a winter that can last for 4 months.

When Elna gave an explanation, all the young people present at the meeting paid close attention, they followed her seriously. Next it was the turn of the youth who talked about Elna's whereabouts in her village.

Maikel Kladit gave his opinion. He said he was very happy that Elna could visit her village and go see her village forest. He confessed when he was nervous and not confident when accompanying Elna as a tour guide. Even to the trip to the forest, his fear continued to follow him, especially considering that Elna was a woman.

"But thank God and thank God, we were able to bring Elna well until she returned to the village," Maikel said.
 
Another village youth, Simon also gave the same opinion. Even Alfred Kladit, Chairperson of the Sira LPHD Village, thanked Elna for the input given. It will motivate youth in their villages to be better at maintaining the traditions, culture and forests that surround them.

Abner and Sius, PaCE Involvement trainees also gave the same view. Both hope that Elna can return to Sira and Manggroholo Villages, and hopefully when Elna comes in the second time, there will be a change that can be seen.

After the meeting, in the morning, Friday (11/16) at 07.00, Elna said goodbye to the people of Kampung Sira and Manggroholo to return to Sorong. The trip to Sorong was accompanied by Imam and Alink. *)