Although only Three Months Established, but Posdaya Harapan Maju Has been Developed

Although it was established only three months ago,  but Posdaya Harapan Maju, Sukadamai
Village, Dramaga District, Bogor, has successfully integrated its community potentialities. 
In the economic field, the Posdaya which was established on 17  June 2012 is able to support
the micro enterprises by empowering the house wifes. "Here the housewives are empowered to
produce handicrafts made of bamboo for baskets, embroidery scarf and  shoes," said Chairman
of Posdaya Harapan Maju, Mr. Pepen Effendi, for the guests who are  members of the Satuan
Kerja Perangkat Daerah (SKPD) of  Indramayu regency, in their Observation Study Tour (OST).

The delegation of 90 people, consisted of 31 subdistrict heads, leaded headed by the Head of
Women’s Empowerment and Family Planning (BPPKB) of Indramayu regency,  Drs. H. Wahidin, MM
SKPD followed, and heads of the implementing unit of government in the District of
Indramayu.

Every finishing one big size basket the housewife will earns Rp. 600, – (six hundred
Rupiah). Whereas for a small basket, which is used to pack Sumedang toufu (soybean cakes),
tape (fermented cassava) and eggs, every housewife are supported by Rp 50 thousand as their
capital. Their baskets then will pooled, then they will be sold to collectors who provide
capital. "Every 200 small-size baskets we pay Rp. 20 thousand. The baskets then will be
collected and and will be sold to Sumedang in bulk, "said the owner of the Basket Crafters.
 
Emat, one basket craftsmen began to start his basket handicrafts business in 1989. With the
provision of cutting machines and bamboo finer, his business has been growing. Now, he
employs a workforce of 20 people. According to Pepen, almost all housewifes who are members
of Posdaya, their total number has reached  87 (eighty seven) women, they are working
part-time to embroider beaded veil and shoes. The embroider activities are carried out in
their spare times after they comply their housewife jobs and child care. "Each embroider
beaded veil produced, the housewife earns Rp. 1.500,- – Rp. 2.000, – and Rp 15,000 for the
embroidery a score (1 kodi) of shoes. Within one week, a housewife can  complete two scores
of embroidered beaded shoes, "said Pepen.

Head of BPPKB Indramayu regency, Drs.Wahidin, MM said that the visit to P2SDM-LPPM IPB
(CENTER FOR HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT – Research and Community Empowerment Institute Bogor Agricultural University) was for the comparative study on Indramayu Posdaya development. "I really appreciate the community here that the a short time they could coordinate the
existing potentialities to improve the community welfare. Indramayu also, we have a variety
of potentialities, but they have never been managed properly, so they have never been
synergized and given positive influence on the wider community, "said Drs. Wahidin when he
visited the field.

The group also visited the posyandu (neighborhood health center), Pendidikan Anak USIA Dini
(PAUD Early Childhood Education) Al Ihsan Tama, and Microfinance Institutions “Tebar
Pesona”. The establishment  of PAUD Al Ihsan Tama of this Posdaya was really the sacrifices
of its  management. Pepen explaied, that PUAD Al Ihsan Tama is located in a modest home,
used to be a shop, owned by former Chairman of RT 6 a year ago. "Pak RT lent his stall
freely to be used for early childhood activities."

Deputy Head of Community Services of LPPM IPB, Dr. Prastowo, expected that the Posdaya will
be able to assist the imporvement of the education, economic, environment, and public
health. "IPB has developed about 100 Posdaya in Bogor city, Bogor regency, Cianjur and

Sukabumi. Through collaboration with the Foundation Damandiri, IPB became regional
coordinator for the 10 partner universities in the development Posdaya. We look forward to
share our valuable experiences for Indramayu district as the results of the visit to OST in
Sukadamai village, "he explained. (Wied).