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The May 2007 earthquake virtually destroyed the businesses of traditional ceramics artisans in the Kasongan district of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Kilns, workspace, and raw materials were damaged and rendered useless, leaving hundreds of artisans without the tools they needed to bring them out of the rubble and rebuild their lives

from Relief International website: www.ri.org

Another project currently being done is taking place in Kasongan, another center of ceramic production in Yogyakarta. For this project, called “Developing Livelihoods Through a Common Service Facility,” Pekerti is working with Relief International. Founded in 1990, Relief International (RI) provides emergency, rehabilitation and development services that empower beneficiaries in the process. RI’s programs include health, shelter construction, education, community development, agriculture, food, income-generation, and conflict resolution. RI employs an innovative approach to program design and a high quality of implementation performance in demonstrating deep and lasting impact in reducing human suffering worldwide.

Both organizations, Pekerti and Relief International are co-operating to achieve the purposes of the project, which are:

1. Giving trainings to producers. The training will cover on marketplace, Finishing techniques workshop, Joint kiln-construction and Advance design workshop.
2. Pekerti will design structures and number of kilns to accommodate the group producers’ activities and workspace.
3. Joint group training and mentoring. Five workshops will cover on co-operation principles, strategic planning, co-operation management, assistance on co-operation/business planning and financing principles and practices.

AusAid & Pekerti

Apart from Kasongan, Yogyakarta has another ceramic region, that is in the Pundong District, Bantul Regency. We can find and see products made of clay. There are a lot of increases in regards to the design and quality of product made, so it is not only functional, but also artistic impression. Pekerti’s consultant, Anton Clark went there with an English ceramic industry expert, Simon Platt, to asses the future of possible aid to the ceramic industry there. They submitted a comprehensive proposal for business re-establishment. Aside from working capital and kilns, the proposal outlined new technology that can be cheaply incorporated into the industry to increase efficiency and production as well as a training program of shortening the supply chain and increasing market access.

Pundong project was done with the following stages:

1. Project Preparation: Resurvey of beneficiaries, Program socialization.
2. Training for making kiln: Insulating firebricks-making training, Kiln-construction training, Four display training kiln-constructions
3. Business training: business development training, Market access training, Value adding and finishing
4. Market linkage survey and seminar

The six-month training has brought about positive impact on the participants, in terms of the newly-acquired skills and knowledge. In addition, they now use 50% less wood by using two-side fire burning and with newly introduced insulation techniques are achieving higher than previous kiln temperatures. Their motivation was also improved because they could apply the knowledge, thus this would improve their business management skills.

Pekerti teamed with Deutsche Gesselschaft fur Technische Zu Sammenarbeit (GTZ)

Another Germany-based organisation, German Technical Assistance Agency for Development or GTZ cooperated with Pekerti to give training, mentoring and guidance for market access development to earthquake victims in Jogjakarta and Klaten. The target producers are batik, wooden furniture producers, silk weavers and home industry. This training was given in order to assist community affected earthquake in Yogyakarta and Klaten, Central Java. Therefore, Regional Economic Development (RED) of GTZ RED cooperated with Pekerti Foundation to hold a program of economic recovery that focused on assistance aid for small and medium business in affected-earthquake regions.

Assistance/training on these areas were carried out in two stages:

Stage 1 (February-August 2007)

In this stage, this program assisted 72 small and medium-scale businesses in Jarum Village, Klaten; Sanggrahan, Bantul; and Gemahan, Bantul regions.

The program, in this stage structures support activities in five main areas, i.e. business group management improvement, business group management skills, product development, product quality, market access. The locations and number of beneficiaries are 20 snack producers in Klaten, 19 batik producers in Klaten, 9 furniture producers in Klaten, 14 snack producers in Sanggrahan, Bantul and 10 roof tile producers in Gemahan. The snack producers alone went from sales of 20 packets per day to 200 per group with Pekerti’s cleaver marketing.

Stage 2 (September – December 2007)

The program structures support activities in six main areas, namely: micro, small and medium enterprise recovery, product quality improvement, product diversification, business linkage extension, access to credit schemes through business group management training, and support of running business. The locations and number of beneficiaries are 11 wooden batik producers in Kembangsongo, 20 furniture producers in Tegal Krapyak, 9 silver producers in Kota Gede, and 7 bag producers in Patalan.

Before the program, most of the workers would work based on purchase order from their employers or intermediaries. Basically, they are expert in producing high quality products, but they were highly dependent on others to sell their products, so they had little or no motivation in improving their livelihoods. This happened because they did not know how to run business without any capital support, market knowledge and other business skills.

After the completion of the program, their motivation to run their own business was improved, which was reflected with these conditions:

1. They were active in setting up business plans.
2. They started making product samples, which later are promoted by Pekerti.

However, since this is their initial experience in carrying out independent production process, they still face difficulties in developing products independently of fulfilling large orders.

Therefore, continuous assistance can be given to achieve the independent producer groups. The assistance might be given concerning the overall business management, production, marketing, even capital access that will enable to gather capital to fulfill their working capital.

The earthquake left long-lasting traumatic feeling for the victims. Generally, there was positive movements occur in daily lives of earthquake victims, economically-disadvantaged groups, artisans, laborers, and farmers. To date, the communities of earthquake victims are pursuing their livelihood to continue their lives and business, with assistance in the form of, asset replacement, bank loan, loan fund in cash or material loan from shops and refund after fund from government was accepted. Victims have started to re-run their businesses, both new and reestablished old. Reconstruction programs have opened windows of opportunities provide new sources of livelihood, where reconstruction activities required skilled laborers and materials which employs idle hands.

At the end of 2006, Pekerti reached a final stage of negotiation with a Germany-based NGO, The Johanniter to fund the building of 500 temporary houses in Jogjakarta. To realize this and to accelerate the recovery of communities that were affected by the earthquake, PEKERTI foundation has formed a consortium that consists of PEKERTI FOUNDATION, APIKRI FOUNDATION, KLINIK KONSULTASI BISNIS (KKB), GERAKAN NAUNGAN HIDUP (GNH), in cooperation with THE JOHANNITER. The consortium shared the common goal to assist the bottom level craft producers and poor farmers, the two groups who had the least means to recover post earthquake. The plan that 150 houses would be constructed every 4 to 6 weeks in cluster construction of 15 houses group per field worker and at a cost of approximately US$350 per house.

Pekerti managed to keep to the price budget and was still be able to build above the original expected standard. By this project’s end, 2,471 people were housed and thus this helped speed the emotional and economic recovery.

This program activities started in November 2006, were specifically contributed to build temporary shelters and renovate houses for earthquake victims, especially for the economically-disadvantaged group, artisans, laborers, and farmers. The temporary shelters built followed the concept of economic funding, simple, good quality building and basic reinforced construction that was to standard of earthquake-resistance.

Compared to similar projects done by other NGOs, the building of temporary houses done by this consortium was different in the aspect that this project involved participatory and gender equality approach, as well as making effort to apply fair trade principles and object oriented.

The activities were done collectively and from one district to another district, from one village to other village, involving participatory stages and role of community from the stage of social preparation (survey of need, planning), local self support, building process until evaluation.

The early target of the project was to build building temporary shelter and renovation for 550 houses in 6 subdistricts, 9 villages and 33 sub-villages.

A Helping Hand from Pekerti’s Buyers and Friends

On Saturday, May 27, 2006, at 5:54 a.m., local time, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Yogyakarta on the Indonesian island of Java.According to final reports, around 5.716 people lost their lives, about 37.927 were injured, and more than 200,000 were displaced.No tsunami was generated. The earthquake has been followed by hundreds of aftershocks. According to reports from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) between 60 and 80 percent of the buildings in the affected area were damaged; this includes government buildings, schools, hospitals and railway stations, community health clinics etc.

There are scores of Pekerti’s craftsmen living in Yogyakarta and they suffered the impacts of this mighty earthquake. Their livelihoods were in peril. It was impossible to run their production as most of their machinery and homes were severely damaged. This was Pekerti’s primary concern and made Pekerti take immediate action to assist the suffering of our partners living and working conditions.

Besides visiting the affected site and victims Pekerti distributing aid in the forms of food and tents, Pekerti made an effort to communicate the devastating conditions of the producers to its buyers. With help from our buyers, Pekerti was able to accumulate Rp 477.998.267,00. Seventy-four percent of the donations received, Rp 353.274.875, had been spent according to the planned programs and in line with the budget. Thus, there is still a remainder amounted to Rp. 124.723.392,00 or $13.747.04. This figure is still being used to implement subsequent programs.

Pekerti’s mission for the victims was to rebuild homes and re-establish the producers’ business in Yogyakarta as a part of economic recovery program in the aftermath of the earthquake as well as motivating the victims who lost their occupations so that they would be able to restart their business.

The duration project stage 2 is 6 month, that started on May until October 2008. The project stage two has a goal to Strengthen and enhance the capacity of the Seukeu Aceh Cooperative to be stand alone, independent and sustain as an umbrella and a center for women pandan business activities. To achieve this goal, it will use program as follows :

1. Cooperative Strengthening

The program stage 2 will maintain sustainability of Seukeu Aceh coop as a center of women pandan business. To make the coop sustain, it has to be strengthened through , giving board motivation to be active on cooperative, board reshuffle, skill training for cooperatives management, cooperative business plan arrangement, cooperative regular meeting, group regular meeting.

2. Widen Project Services

In order to widen the project services to wider beneficiaries, this stage is for new 200 beneficiaries, they will be given all the training and program that given to previous beneficiaries on the project stage 1.

3. Product and Production

For sustainability of Seukeu Aceh Coop , after project intervention of the stage 2, coop also has to have qualified and marketable product. To achieve this objective, it use program Product development training in Java for selected beneficiaries then they transfer the skill to other beneficiaries in field.

4. Developing Standard Marketing System

Marketing is an important part of the business. To support the cooperative business development, experience and insight in marketing are needed, through the project stage 2, we do some activities that support the standard marketing system of coop. The activities are marketing administration training, marketing consultation, marketing session plan for coop, iimplementation of marketing plan, exhibition and Promotion Preparation, promotion to national and international focused exposition (PPE and PKA), Coops Web Site Development.

In November 2006 Pekerti was commissioned by Save the Children to undertake a survey of “Potential and Problems Mapping” in order to set up a Pandanus Handicraft Development Program in Pidie Regency. The object of this survey was to collect data on Pidie pandanus handicraft. Also, the survey was to compare the industry in Pidie and those in Jogjakarta and Central Java.

There is a large proportion of producer weavers who are widows either because of tsunami or long period of political conflicts. They earn approximately US 55 cents per day. This, generally, is worth 15% to 30% of the household income. Pekerti hopes to work with Save the Children to implement new technologies, methodologies and approaches to business with the view to increase incomes. Finally, with the prevalence of Pandan plant (Pandanus tectorius) growing locally and plentiful traditional production skill, target beneficiaries are ready to receive and benefit from assistance.

This project is aimed at gaining a better livelihood and Pekerti’s program is assisting these marginalized producers to increase their efficiencies whereby daily incomes will increase by 100% to 150%. The program will also help open a project shop and form a women’s cooperative.

To achieve the program’s goals, Pekerti has requested from Save the Children Aceh funding for US$134,212.00 to incorporate new technologies, business training, mentoring to producers and assist in opening more profitable markets. This funding is assisting 325 women weavers in Pidie form 13 working groups that will achieve economies of scale, giving meaningful collective business to unaffiliated women, it will also lift their incomes by up to 150% and have a follow on effect of industry best practice to the wider industry of up to another 2500 women.

After nine months implementation, the “Pidie Pandan Women’s Empowerment Program”, has recorded project impact and positive outcomes. The positive outcome that have achieved on the project stage 1 as follows:

• Production cost reductions of 73%
• Increase in local wholesale price of standard product  of 20%
• Value adding and new product development is seeing producers gain a daily income increases
• Increase product sales and market access not only in project area but also to other places like to Banda Aceh.
• By March 25th the shop turn over was 29,499,000 Rupiah with and average sale of 159,454 per customer or US $ 17.70. This is a very high retail customer price even in terms of a Western consumer standard.
• The Project also was able to increase staff and beneficiaries skill on business reaching in total 239 women on a constant basis by the end of the project from the original 323 beneficiaries who distribute into 13 groups
• Formation of a women’s cooperative “Seuke Aceh that was born into a legal entity on the 28th of February 2008.

Beside the success that the project has had, several crucial problems also arose in the project.  For that reason, Yayasan Pekerti continue this project with Save the Children to a second stage.  The program is to continue the stage 1 project, those are to strengthen Seukeu Aceh Coops,  expand value chain, value adding, retail outlets, government support and assistance, industry quality standards and branding as well as more membership to a single industry cooperative.   This will provide an institution or organization that as a center of  information, collective marketing, training and activities done collectively to strengthen the position of small pandan women producer in doing their activities.

This project, which took place for 14 months, was aimed at establishing and re-starting handicraft
business, as a way to carry out economic recovery post-tsunami.The beneficiaries of this project were female producers who consisted of 65 producers who make embroidered bags and 15 who make accessories in the shape of stars. They were joined into 4 groups of:

1. Huntara Ajun
2. Ulee Madon, North of Aceh or called Koperasi Wanita
3. Tasa
4. Idirayeuk
5. Simpang Ulim

To achieve the goal, Pekerti has made efforts in order to:

• Assist the 80 beneficiaries to generate income form their handicraft products
• Promote the survived handicraft business in order to increase the capacity and to create employment
• Stimulate the tsunami survivors who had lost their occupations so that they would want to generate new business and income.

It is expected that through this project, income increase,generating new skills, newly-trained a labour, business reestablishmentand new business would be achieved. To date, Pekerti has undertaken trainings of the trainers offield workers and 5 beneficiaries, product management, costing and pricing, quality control, product development,bookkeeping, business management. Another achievement that made us proud is the Establishment of co-operation unit called Koperasi TASA and the undertaking of trial order.Besides, the producers have taken part in Export Product Fair in Jakarta and Inacraft Fair in Jakarta. Pekerti also gave assistance and consultation in production and marketing.

At the end of this program, we could see that progress and improvement have been made. First of all, it has increases women’s participation in running their own business. They have acquired embroidery skills as well as managerial skills. This way, they have become independent and more confident.

Secondly, their business has improved into a well-managed one, in terms of administration, promotion, marketing and product documentation. Their products have penetrated export market that is facilitated by Pekerti. Thirdly, there is an increase in the number of products sold and product value. Fourthly, these female embroidery producers are now able to apply business management skills, such as marketing plan, production plan, coordination in production process, quality control, bookkeeping, price calculation, and product documentation. Promotions do through fairs or exhibitions and product development. Finally, they have improved their negotiation skill and attract customers.

YAYASAN PEKERTI REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR DISASTER SURVIVORS IN ACEH AND YOGYAKARTA

The tragedy of the 2004 tsunami in Aceh is now four years passed and the devastating earthquake that shocked Yogyakarta was now two years. However 2007 and into 2008, disasters such as flood, landslide, hurricane and earthquake have continued to ravished Indonesia, particularly Java Island along with other island areas. Death toll of these latest disasters has affected hundreds, damaged houses in the thousands and millions of hectares of farm lands and rice fields were ruined. This has created shortage of foodstuff in several regions as well as pushing up prices on staple food items. Our rehabilitation programs during the 2007 year, Pekertiwas still focusing in Nangroe Aceh Darussalam (Aceh) and Central Java Provinces (Yogyakarta).

Pekerti will still be concentrating its activities in Aceh and Yogyakarta, namely the economic recovery to strengthen community’s economic institutions, product development, business trainings and assistance to enhance market access, local, regional, export markets. Plus, of course! the promotion of Fair Trade to all new and old producers in our network. Besides still carrying out producer partners’ house and workshop rehabilitation, economic recovery activities will be undertaken to assist the batik, silver, furniture embroidery and terracotta producers (Yogyakarta). Therefore, Pekerti is still facilitating funds should there be any donations from Donors and our buyer partners who are keen to assist the survivors.

PEKERTI IN ACEH

• Pekerti & Oxfam for Craft for Food program (July 2006 – September 2007)
• Pidie Pandan Women’s Empowerment Program Phase 1 (June 2007-March 2008) Pekerti teamed with Save the Children
• Pidie Pandan Women’s Empowerment Program Phase 2 (May – October March 2008) Pekerti teamed with Save the Children

PEKERTI IN YOGYAKARTA

• Pekerti’s Response to the Yogyakarta Earthquake Victims-A Helping Hand from Pekerti’s Buyers, Friends and Sympathies
• Project Houses in Jogjakarta with partner the Johanniter
• Market Access Development Training for Producers in Yogyakarta and Klaten Earthquake victims
• Market Access Development for Terracotta Producers after the 2007 Earthquake; AusAid & Pekerti
• Other Ceramic Producer Development in Yogyakarta

For over 500 years, the Sasak people of Lombok Island, where the Pacific and Indian oceans meet, have created earthenware pottery for their food preparation and storage needs using time honored traditional methods. Hand built using the coil method, skillfully shaped further with the aid of sticks or paddles, and then burnished with stones, the pots are low fired in shallow pits amidst a fire of coconut husk and grass.

Legend suggests that the island and its inhabitants were originally named by the Goddess Dewi Anjani, who said “Because this island is of thick growth penuh sesak I therefore name the island Sesak.” She is also credited with teaching the people how to make earthenware cooking pots thus allowing their sustenance and encouraging their society and culture to flourish.

Approximately 90% of the population of Lombok is Sasak with most of the remaining 10% claiming Balinese lineage. The Sasak are nominally Moslem yet there is very strong evidence of Hindu and Wetu Telu culture and belief woven into their daily life. Wetu Telu is an ancient animistic faith that has blended with Islam forming the unique culture and daily practice of the Sasak.

Each piece is hand made without the use of tables, wheels or anything other than very rudimentary implements. The resulting subtle variations in size, finish and shape add to the complexity and beauty of this ancient art. Splashing ground tamarind and palm oil on the surface during the firing process results in the tortoise shell, leather or woodlike appearance called “asam” - meaning sour, as tamarind is used in the indigenous sweet and sour sauces, a famous part of Sasak cuisine.

Linseed, olive, or lemon oil can be used occasionally to restore the luster of your pottery much as you would feed your finer wood furniture. Sasak pottery is suitable for dry food service but is not waterproof and should not be used in the microwave or dishwasher. An inside liner is suggested for use with live plants.

Various finishes and treatments are added to enhance the beauty and elegance of this distinctive art form.
Asam - Splashing ground tamarind and palm oil on the surface during the firing process results in the tortoise shell, leather or woodlike appearance called asam (sour) as the tamarind is used in the indigenous sweet and sour sauces, a famous part of Sasak cuisine.
Blackened - Starving the pot for oxygen by burying the pot in straw and earth after firing results in a blackened surface.
“Cukli” or shell inlay - Small pieces of white shell are inlaid into the pot - available on both the asam and blackened styles.
Rattan Trim - Strips of rattan and grass are hand woven around the edge of the piece - available on both the asam and blackened styles.
Banana Leaf -Dried strips of banana leaf are attached to the terra cotta piece giving a wooden look.

Here is where you can learn about how our products are made; from batik to pottery to wooden bowls. More will come soon, but for now, here’s how our producers in Lombok make their pottery.

Artisan Pottery from Lombok Island

For over 500 years, the Sasak people of Lombok Island, where the Pacific and Indian oceans meet, have created earthenware pottery for their food preparation and storage needs using time honored traditional methods. Hand built using the coil method, skillfully shaped further with the aid of sticks or paddles, and then burnished with stones, the pots are low fired in shallow pits amidst a fire of coconut husk and grass. More…

Berdiri sejak tahun 1996
Komoditas : kerajinan dari bahan alam dan recycle material
Pemilik : Kiswandari Ratna Setyawati & Rejeki Marsudiyani
Status Usaha : belum berbadan hukum
Kantor : Macanan DN 3 / 368 Yogyakarta Indonesia
Jam Kantor : 09.00 – 17.00
Email : contact@jiroproduction.com
Kontak Person : Yani & Nana
Telp/ Fax : +62-274-516664
HP : +62-811256895
Work Shop : Dusun Sembungan Plataran- Kasihan Bantul
HP : +62-8157954462
Kapasitas : maks 2000 per bulan
Produk : box, asesoris rumah tangga, frame, cermin/kaca, plismet, tas, dll
Material : lidi, koran bekas, kertas daur ulang, batok kelapa, enceng gondok, daun,
dll yang ramah lingkungan
Alat produksi : alat potong, bor, alat press, gergaji, mesin jahit
Karyawan : 20 orang : - laki-laki 3 orang
- perempuan 17 orang
Pendidikan karyawan : rata-rata lulusan SMA
Marketing : internet (web site), pameran dalam dan luar negeri
Pasar : lokal, Spanyol, Polandia, Mesir

Sistem pembayaran order DP 50% sisanya setelah order selesai.

Jiro Production sangat concern dengan lingkungan dan kesehatan karyawannya, terbukti dulu pernah memproduksi keramik dengan resin, tapi mengingat resin berbahaya dan karyawan tidak mau menggunakan masker, maka produksi dihentikan.

Jiro Production juga ikut memberdayakan masyarakat sekitarnya dengan mengajari pembuatan kerajinan pada ibu-ibu rumah tangga, yang nantinya akan menge sub ke Jiro Production untuk produksinya.

Jiro Production juga sudah dikenal di luar negeri, dan pada bulan Februari 2008 kemarin televisi dari Vietnam, Samoa, dan Laos melakukan wawancara dan pengambilan gambar di Jiro Production untuk durasi tayang 60 menit.

This section profiles some of our fantastic producers, from different regions of Indonesia.

First up; Jiro Production

World Fair Trade Day Celebration and Annual Meeting

[Show as slideshow]

Jogja

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Project in Kasongan, Yogyakarta

Developing Livelihoods Through a Common Service Facility

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Feel free to contact us at address below should you have something to ask about.

Pekerti Nusantara PT

Jl. Waru No. 21A Rawamangun - Jakarta 13220 INDONESIA
Phone: +62-021-478 63008
Fax: +62-021-478 64052
Email: pekerti{at}pekerti.com

Pekerti Foundation

Pekerti stands for Pengembangan Kerajinan Rakyat Indonesia (Indonesian People’s Folk-Art and Handicraft Foundation), a social development agency formed in Jakarta, 1975. It’s mandate is to supplement the incomes of subsistence farmers and rural people through the development and sale of traditional crafts and folks art.

Pekerti trains and gives assistance to the producers to market domestically. They also give services in marketing, especially in export marketing, which can not be done by the producers themselves. Pekerti also gives the producers an advanced payment for the producers and also a credit scheme for investment.

Background of Establishment

Pekerti was established as a self-reliant, non-political and non-sectarian organisation. It was founded because there was a concern of the impact of development that disregards the community’s participation. The agricultural sector, with the system of mechanisation and the introduction of new seed varieties, has limited the working opportunity of the farmers, which results in urbanisation.
While in the cities, development of modern industry, through large investments, have motivated unskilled farmers join in accumulating the city’s population. On the other side, through advertisements, modern industries reject the products and services of small scale businesses that can not compete due to inefficiency. As a result, these businesses are forced into bankruptcy and to join the force of job seekers in the factories.

The Aims

Stimulate and develop crafts and folk art businesses as a means for a social to prosper.
To increase the wealth of the community by providing better profit for the businesses.
Intensify the efforts to work together (based on the co-op principles) with microenterprise groups for the purpose of creating solidarity and improving quality and efficiency in producing and marketing their products.

If you would like to know more about Pekerti Foundation, please visit our website at www.foundation.pekerti.com