Washington, DC — May, 2006 —On May 16, 2006, IRD toured several project sites with Mr. Heru Martono, the head of the Information Bureau from the Coordinating Ministry of People’s Welfare of the Indonesian government. As required by law for all international NGOs working in Indonesia, Mr. Martono inspected project sites for two of IRD’s programs: the Small Town and Rural Communities Water Restoration Program, funded by the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF), and the Emergency Livelihoods and Income Generation program, funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Prior to returning to Jakarta, Mr. Martono was also able to attend a presentation highlighting IRD’s programs following the tsunami. He also had an individual meeting with Tom Alcedo, IRD’s country director for Indonesia, where he voiced his appreciation for both the visit and the programs. He was particularly interested in the economic development projects, which he felt were among the most important since they empowered the people of Aceh. Discussions on the current pending MOU modification took place and he indicated his support for the modification that IRD has formally requested. Mr. Alcedo invited him to visit IRD’s Student Health Improvement program in central Java in the future.

The site visits by Mr. Martono allowed IRD to demonstrate our recent work in the tsunami-affected areas of Aceh Province, and to share the stories of beneficiaries who are working to rebuild their lives with assistance from IRD.

IRD’s Small Town and Rural Communities Water Restoration Program Funded by UNICEF

First Stop: The Mata’ie Water Treatment Plant

Due to the large number of water supply systems that were destroyed in the tsunami, IRD recently rehabilitated the Mata’ie Water Treatment Plant (WTP), refurbishing the existing pumping system and constructing a new chemical building and laboratory. Mr. Martono spoke with the local engineers at the WTP as he inspected the recently rehabilitated filtration systems. The Mata’ie WTP now provides clean, potable water to more than 83,000 residents in the area.

Second Stop: Visit to Lam Kunyet Village

Mr. Martono then traveled to the village of Lam Kunyet, one of the four rural villages in which IRD is working to enhance the existing water systems. Under this program, IRD works with local community leaders and villagers in the construction and maintenance of all water supply systems, including pipelines, potable water sources and latrines. In the village of Lam Kunyet alone, IRD has worked with the local villagers to install water pipelines for the community’s children center, school, mosque and approximately 90 houses. In addition, Mr. Martono was able to see the five newly constructed bathroom facilities that are used by families in the community.

IRD’s Emergency Livelihoods and Income Generation Program Funded by UNDP

Third Stop: IRD’s Job Training Center

With funding from UNDP, IRD operates the Small Business Development & Training Center in Banda Aceh. This center currently provides 8 business classes with an average enrollment of 25 students per class. Course topics and curriculum include: Business Motivation, Basic Financial Management and Business Plan Development. After touring the facility, Mr. Martono spoke with students about their experiences at the center.

Fourth Stop: Meeting Grant Recipients of IRD’s Small Business Program

Mrs. Suktia Darmawangsa was forced to flee her home in Ule lheu after the tsunami destroyed her village. Despite her loss, she and her family were considered fortunate — her family was the only family in her village that survived the tsunami intact. After the disaster, they were forced to move to a Temporary Living Center (TLC) until permanent housing could be found.

During the recovery process, Mrs. Darmawangsa identified a growing need for school and office furniture, and sought assistance from IRD’s economic development program in Banda Aceh. She received an initial grant of $700 from IRD and aligned herself with three other business partners to generate enough capital to launch her small furniture business. She now manages the business out of her home, and is able to expand operations as demand for her furniture grows. During his visit, Mr. Martono met with Mrs. Darmawangsa and learned of how she is building a successful business and supporting her family with assistance from IRD.

Prior to the tsunami, Mr. Sayed was a successful business owner, managing a spice factory that employed up to 15 people at a time. However, the tsunami quickly destroyed his factory and his only means of supporting his family. Despite so much loss, Mr. Sayed was determined to reopen his business. Through the small business development program, IRD awarded Mr. Sayed an initial $1,000 grant to re-start his business and replace the equipment that was destroyed in the disaster.

Today, Mr. Sayed is once again able to produce traditional Acehnese spices and has begun to work with his sons in the production, packaging and marketing of his brand, Rumoh Aceh. During his visit, Mr. Martono was able to meet with Mr. Sayed and his sons to learn about the operations of his business. In order to meet quality control standards, Mr. Sayed also works with the Indonesian Department of Health to ensure the safety of his product. IRD continues to work with small business owners such as Mr. Sayed to enhance their business management practices and to increase their production capacities.

Mr. Mukhlas spent more than a year living in a tented camp after the tsunami forced him from his home and destroyed much of Banda Aceh. It wasn’t until he received a grant from IRD that he was able to launch his small framing business. Mr. Mukhlas’ company now supplies wooden framing for the housing industry that is rapidly growing as recovery efforts increase. Not only was he able to open his small business, but he was also able to repair and return to the home that he has lived in since childhood. It is from this home that Mr. Mukhlas operates his small business, and where Mr. Martono met several of the employees that now too are able to provide for their families.

As his business has expanded, Mr. Mukhlas has hired 14 employees and is looking to increase production. While accessing credit is challenging for small-business owners like Mr. Mukhlas, IRD’s economic development team is helping to link him with financial institutions that can provide him with the necessary credit to continue expanding his business.