Aceh, Indonesia – March 17, 2010 – Thirty years of past conflict and instability in Aceh have left an indelible mark on those living and working in the region. For many Achenese, simply making ends meet was challenging. This was the case with Nasir, a 39-year old rattan gatherer from the village of Alue Bungkoh, in the Pirak Timoe sub-district of Lhokseumawe. Nasir recalls being arrested multiple times by both sides of the parties to the conflict when he was gathering rattan in the mountains of Lhokseumawe. Both sides interrogated him on suspicion of being an accomplice for the other side. “I was in constant fear for my life every day because I never knew what they wanted of me or if I would ever see my family again,” he said. “They would just suddenly appear, take me along with them, and ask me questions, which I never knew how to answer. It was so difficult just to find and gather enough rattan at that time to be able to support my family.” There were many days when Nasir traveled into the jungle with the fear of further arrests.

Through the years, Nasir taught himself basic skills in making small items from the rattan he gathered, like baskets, that he sold at the local market. Last year he learned of a rattan workshop being held in his village, funded by USAID/SERASI and implemented by Yayasan Seuramo (YaSA), a Lhokseumawe-based organization focusing on economic empowerment efforts for communities affected by the former Aceh conflict. Although quite experienced in gathering rattan and producing small items, through this training Nasir learned advanced processes that include cleaning, trimming, polishing, bending, and producing strips for weaving rattan furniture. The 15-day rattan handicraft workshop was taught by an experienced local instructor who provides close guidance to participants on how to use the tools and equipment that were provided to participants.

Conducted at a small training center in the village, the rattan handicraft workshop is part of a series of vocational trainings conducted by YaSA that include sessions on embroidery, tofu and tempe (soybean cakes) production, screen printing, and mechanic repair workshops. In a situation of limited economic opportunities in a post-conflict society, these trainings provide participants, including people like Nasir, with practical skills they can use to earn a steady income. In addition to helping participants make a better living, these trainings increase employment opportunities and ultimately stimulate a healthier local economy.

Nasir, who is the father of two said, “Now that the situation around here is much better, I have big dreams for my family. I want my children to get a good education and have a better life than their father,” he continued. “I have always loved to work with rattan, and when I am finished with the training I receive here, I plan on finding a job that helps me save money and ultimately open my own rattan furniture business,” Nasir concluded.

SERASI is a three-year USAID funded project focused on creating stable, democratic communities. It is implemented by International Relief and Development (IRD).