Hope rises in the older days

'Sewing Clothes for Men and Women' is written on a board in front of the simple house located in North Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara.

As usual, Frans, 57, is ready to do his work. The sound of the sewing machine echoes in the room. This is what Frans does every day as a sewer who joined the Anugerah, a sewing cooperative.

Frans is not alone. He works with his sister, Maria, 48. Both of them work together to earn their income by sewing products using North Central Timor traditional cloth.

When they first opened the business, Frans and Maria didn't sew every day. Maria couldn't sew at all. Frans only did sewing based on neighbor's orders.

Hope started to rise when Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) in North Central Timor operational office assisted Frans and Maria. Together with some friends from Central Insana sub-district, Frans joined in sewing training in August 2013 conducted by WVI.

The training was conducted once a week for a month where Frans learned new sewing techniques.

Since then, Frans started to make usable and modern products using traditional cloth. Laptop bags and wallets are two of modern products created by Frans and Maria.

"In a day, I can make 4 wallets and 2 laptop bags," said Frans. WVI also helps to market the products both locally and nationally.

Not just sewing training, Frans and Mario were also trained on gaining and managing capital loans. Frans used a loan from People Enterpreneurship Credit (Kredit Usaha Rakyat/KUR) from People's Bank of Indonesia (BRI).

The loan was used to buy sewing materials like thread and traditional cloth. After several years working, Frans and Maria's products have been sold nationally. For some exhibitions held in Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives hall, Jakarta, Frans's work has been sold out!

"I thank God because I could pay monthly installment to BRI for Rp 1.5 million. The rest of the money is used to buy sewing materials such as buttons and thread and saved in my bank account," said Frans.

Through WVI, Frans can earn his income without waiting for orders. In their older days, Frans and Maria create their own designs and earn enough to live independently.

*Written by Rena Tanjung, Field Communications officer, World Vision Indonesia