Family Support

DEVA Women’s Projects 2008

In 2008 DEVA wants to expand its family support programmes.  We plan to offer practical training for women to start their own businesses, as well as a micro-credit program, and trade-training. Click here if you are able to sponsor one of these programs or for more information email info@devaindonesia.org or phone 62 361 7969162.

DEVA had 2 work-skills training projects in 2006-2007, one in Lombok and the other in Sumbawa in NTB, Eastern Indonesia, an area of high unemployment. Many young adults in this region gooverseas to work as laborers or house maids in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia so that they can support their families.

Ronges Village, Sumbawa

Ronges is an extremely isolated community in the highlands of West Sumbawa, near the island of Lombok.  Its community manages by producing and consuming much of the food that they eat. They do however have a small surplus of coffee that they can sell to neighboring villages but this can only be reached by a four-hour trek by foot as there are no roads to Ronges yet - 

Our Bali-based non-profit began a handicraft training project with 10 women in Ronges in August 2006. They received training in bamboo-and rotan handicraft production since these raw materials are readily available in the area and are of high quality.  Further support is needed for this project to enhance basic production and design skill, as well as to provide market access for the items that are produced. This project is currently on hold as access is difficult and transportation costs are very high.

Pringgasela, Lombok

This village near Lombok’s Mt Rinjani, just across the Strait from Bali, was once famous for its colorful traditional weavings. The industry almost died however after the Bali bombings because of a drop of in tourists and export orders. Many husbands in this area also left at this time to work overseas. This left many women to cope for long periods of time on their own with their families. A significant number of men have taken overseas wives, do not send money home or simply have not returned to their original families.

DEVA began a project to invigorate the traditional weaving industry again. First our NGO, assisted them buy three sewing machines and giving training in their maintenance and use. The interest and involvement of the women inspired us to hold two more training programs in basic design, sewing, and tailoring, with the generous support of a European tailor, Marta, and Luki, a dedicated field worker. DEVA also supported training in basic marketing and management. The women are now producing and selling beautiful 100% cotton naturally dyed products including hand-towels and napkins, pull-on trousers for children, headscarves, and men’s and women’s tops in several designs. Our non-profit plans to provide more advanced training in design and sewing in the next few months. Contact us by email or phone us at 62 361 7969162 if you would like to volunteer to work with this group and/or would like to sponsor their training. We would love to hear from you.

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