NewsletterApril - June 2017

Indonesia Field Office

Muslim Aid Indonesia Supports Start-Up Enterprises During Ramadan

Muslim Aid Indonesia will continue the efforts to help the government in reducing poverty systematically. One of our works, during the Holy Month of Ramadan, is distributing zakat and basic needs (sembako), as well as providing venture capital for those who want to start new small & medium enterprises.

“Before we give them venture capital, we did a thorough selection. We carefully select the beneficiaries. Therefore, all of the fund and production tools, will be able to support our beneficiaries optimally,” said Country Director, Mahfuzur Rahman.

Around 210 families in Yogyakarta received various production tools, such as swing machine, food cart, cooking utensils, barber tools, compressors and livestock (goats).

According to Slamet, one of MAI’s beneficiaries is very thankful for our works in Yogyakarta.

Right now, I’m very motivated, I can start different kinds of small enterprise without worrying about getting the production tools,” said Slamet.

Additionally, Muslim Aid Indonesia is also distributing food packages, zakat and iftar to 2.440 families.

“Starting from May 19 to June 19, Muslim Aid is distributing food packages, zakat and iftar to families in different regions, such as Aceh, Yogyakarta, Ponorogo, West Nusa Tenggara and Bogor,” added Mahfuz.

Muslim Aid Indonesia’s Ramadan programs are supported by Muslim Muslim Aid Australia, Muslime Helfen (Germany).

The implementation of our Ramadan programs is also in collaboration with Yayasan Kemanusiaan Muslim Indonesia (YKMI), PKPU,Dompet Dhuafa, Bakrie Amanah and Bulan Sabit Merah Indonesia (BSMI).

Driving Small Businesses with Production Tools, and Capital Support

Muslim Aid Indonesia funded Muslim Aid Australia handed over production tools to community groups in Aceh. These production tools are given to motivate them to increase their income.

“After facilitating the community by developing their skills. We also provide support in starting the business with the provision of production equipment. “Said program in charge, Elfi Hasnita.According to Elfi, not all community groups are supported business capital assistance. Only those who are committed and fully participate in the training provided this assistance.

“Through this way at least the production tools we provide can be useful to improve their lives in the future. “Said Elfi

Some villages that receive this production tools are Timbang Langsa Village, Langsa Village, Blang Adoe Village, Matang Panyang Village and Darul Ilmi pesantren in East Aceh. “We provide sewing machines,

water tank embroidery machines, coolers, garden tools and equipment Kitchen. “Elfi concluded.

Rosmalinda (19) one of the embroidery training participants, claimed to feel helped by the support of the provision of such production tools. “After practicing for three months. I and the participants currently start a business without having to think about capital, “she said.

Entrepreneurship Training for Blang Adoe Village in North Aceh

To improve the economy of the community, Muslim Aid Indonesia is funded by Muslim Aid Australia, facilitated entrepreneurship training for the villagers in Blang Adoe, North Aceh. This training was held for four months followed by fifty people.

“In Blang Adoe, Muslim Aid facilitated residents with trainings on catfish cultivation, compost fertilizer production, chili and onion cultivation and we also started a sewing group,” said the person in charge, Elfi Hasnita

Elfi said entrepreneurship training in this village can expand participants’ skills and create new jobs.

“This is an alternative effort to develop the residents’ potential. This training is also expected to reduce the unemployment rate in Blang Adoe village,” said Elfi.

According to Elfi, the residents have also trained how to distribute the products they have produced. “In the training module, we also included marketing training. So after the harvest, they know how to sell their crops,” said Elfi.

In this entrepreneurship training, the participants were active during the question and answer forum. They were very appreciative during the workshop and field practice.

Muhammad Sufi (45), one of the participants in the fertilizer production training, said that he didn’t know how to make compost before, but after the farming, he realizes that he doesn’t need to buy fertilizer anymore.“This training helps me to save my expenses. Now I can produce compost fertilizer independently,” said Sufi.

Developing Entrepreneurship, Muslim Aid Held Screen Printing Training for Orphanage in Bantul

17 children from Abdul Alim Orphanage, Bantul, Yogyakarta, receive entrepreneurial development training on screen-printing by Muslim Aid Indonesia funded by Muslim Aid Australia. The training was held for two months in order to maximize their skills in the screen printing technique.

“For two months they learn about the theory of the screen printing in general, then learn the practice of making screen printing on various media, such as, T-shirts. They also learn about staining techniques, and designing,” Said Coordinator of Muslim Aid Yogyakarta, SuhartiSuharti explains this training is an alternative to create and develop entrepreneurial skills potential in the orphanage.

“Hopefully, this screen printing entrepreneurship training can give participants new skills and create new jobs so that they are capable of a self-sufficient economy, as well as to reduce the unemployment rate, especially in Bantul,” said Suharti.

In addition, the trainees are also trained on how to market their products. “Accompanied by Pengusaha Rindu Syariah they will learn about business and marketing-based shariah,” Said Suharti.

Ahmad Wahid (17), one of the participants expressed optimism about the training. According to him, this training can help his life in the future.

“I plan to build a joint venture printing business with my friends at the orphanage. To help the orphanage and of course our own personal needs, ” said Wahid.

Muslim Aid Trains Orphans in Bantul with Fish Farming Technique

To ensure economic improvement in the orphanage, Muslim Aid Indonesia funded by Muslim Aid Australia held a training on catfish farming at Abdul Alim Orphanage, Bantul, Yogyakarta. 19 people, representing the orphanage, attended the training.

“The first step, we facilitate them how to create a pond, to maintain pond sanitation, and how to prepare for the fish farming. Next, Muslim Aid will facilitate them on how to independently produce catfish fodder, we will also teach them some harvesting techniques, as well

as making a variety of products based of catfish,”, said Muslim Aid Coordinator in Yogyakarta, Suharti.

According to Suharti, Bantul has a huge market opportunity for catfish farming. “This is because in 2015 the Regent of Bantul, Sri Surya Widhati, has been promoting fish consumption movement, Gerakan Memasyarakatkan Makan Ikan (Gemari).”

Suharti describes that fish farming training will be conducted for six months. Accompanied by a professional facilitator in the field.

Syahdan Syukur (20), one of the trainees, claims will finish this training. Syahdan revealed during this training, he has gained skills and knowledge of how to raise catfish.

“I believe this is good for me in the future. Through this training, I learn who to live more independently,” Said Syahdan

We Are Grateful To Our Development Partners

Disaster Risk Management Workshop Across Villages

Muslim Aid Indonesia held a disaster risk reduction management workshop in five villages in West Nusa Tenggara, in cooperation with the Regional Disaster Management Agency, the Environment Agency, and the local government. The aim of the workshop is to inform the residents about the importance of disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change in rural areas.

During the opening of the workshop, the North Lombok Regent, Najmul Akhyar, said that he hopes the results of the workshop could provide valuable inputs for the government.

Each selected village received a workshop from Muslim Aid Indonesia for three days. Not only learning, participants are also expected to implement and commit to addressing disaster risk and climate change adaptation in their villages.

Amaq Syukur (28), one of the trainees, said he is receiving a lot of knowledge on disaster risk management. According to him, through this workshop villagers become more aware of the importance of conserving the environment.

“Understanding about how we should take care of the nature around us, it is so important in this training,” said Amaq.

Improving Disaster Preparedness with Earthquake & Fire Simulation

To Support National Disaster Preparedness Day 2017, Muslim Aid Indonesia held an earthquake and fire simulation in the village of Lembuak, West Lombok, NTB. In this simulation, Muslim Aid worked together with several organizations such as BPBD, MDMC, several schools, and universities.

The simulation was also attended by Deputy Governor of NTB Muhammad Amin. When he opened this simulation, he explains that he supports and appreciates the program held by Muslim Aid Indonesia in NTB.