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Income Generating Skills

Sewing and Handicraft Skills

Although poverty is not the only cause of malnutrition in Indonesia, it is an important one. The Foundation for Mother and Child Health began small skills training by providing sewing classes for mothers of children attending feeding programmes in the South Jakarta branch in Cipete. This has now expanded to include all women with children attending any programme at the Foundation in South Jakarta.

Twice each week mothers working in groups, are taught handicrafts, sewing, tailoring and business skills. The beginners group, taught by a seamstress at the Foundation, is becoming skilled at making a variety of simple items such as cushions, tablemats and quilts and hooded towels for babies. They are also taught how to make blouses and dresses for themselves.

More experienced mothers are taught how to make traditional blouses, trousers and more intricate dresses. They also learn how to make ‘dressing up costumes’ for young children that are sold at FMCH; money raised in this manner being split between the mothers and FMCH. Other mothers focus on making items for babies. They embroider quilts made in the beginner’s sewing class, make stuffed toys and also make bibs for babies out of local batik material.

In June, the FMCH sewing teacher and programme manager visited the remote island of West Timur in the eastern province of Indonesia. Here we were asked to show mothers in poor rural areas basic sewing skills such as making patterns for dresses etc. We were also asked to advise how to improve the design of their own handicrafts such as their very beautiful beaded bags and woven rugs. We will be extending this programme in 2008.

The Foundation offers training in sewing and handicrafts and a number of mothers have now set up their own small sustainable businesses from home, some earning sizeable amounts of money. One mother was able to buy herself a small fridge for the first time in her life. Another was able to renovate her very modest home. Others now save regularly.

Micro credit scheme:

In Jakarta, a micro credit scheme has been set up enabling mothers needing a small loan to buy a sewing machine and the opportunity to start up their own small businesses and work from home.

Recycled products

Another popular idea amongst mothers at FMCH is that of making bags out of recycled materials such as used plastic packets from fabric softeners, coffee sachets and shampoos, etc.

Originally starting a couple of years ago with the making of bags out of used drinks packets, mothers started to adapt the original designs themselves and now produce a range of different types of bags which they make at home using recycled products easily gathered by family and friends.

We currently have a wide variety of different designs made from recycled packets that are proving very popular around the world. Pencil cases, make-up bags, aprons for adults and painting aprons for children being just a few examples. Our aim for 2008 is to encourage a young designer to work with us and make these products available for purchase on-line.

This activity has proved a great success and has enabled women to earn significant amounts of money. With or without the Foundation, these women will continue to be able to earn money as there are always empty packets to be found and they now have the skills to sew, design and sell the bags.

Many women opt to save part of the money they earn from the sale of all the above items, and so an informal savings scheme has been set up for participating women. They receive in house training on budgeting and wherever possible, FMCH encourages them to use their own initiative in choosing skills they want to learn and how they apply their knowledge.

Jl. Puri Sakti I/25A, Cipete, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia 12410 Tel. (62-21) 769-9812 / 759-09733   Fax (62-21) 765 8023  fmch@cbn.net.id