Indonesia - Banda Aceh Agricultural Development
Hope. Fulfillment. Purpose. These are some of the words that have been used to describe the impact of HISG's agricultural project in remote areas of Banda Aceh. This cooperative farming venture has given families a new outlook on life as they now have a means to earn a living. The project has yielded results far beyond job creation, however, as the community is developing a common conscience, helping more and more families grow crops. Other locations are recognizing the potential of the cooperative model and are looking for ways to implement it in their own communities.
HISG has partnered with organizations in the area to provide equipment, seed and fertilizer to help a group of farmers plow fields and grow mangoes, chili peppers, eggplant and corn. One of the most promising aspects of this projects is how it involves the entire community. The farmers receive loans in four-part installments to buy seed and fertilizer, then they pay back that loan over the course of four harvests. The repayments are then used to provide another group of farmers with the first installment of their loan. By the time the first group is making their last payment, this second group is already paying back their first payments, which in turn, goes to the third group of recipients. The entire community is developing a "social conscience" which makes each recipient of a loan want to pay it back on time, rather than fail the rest of the community. HISG is working with the farmers to extend that social conscience to use the money for community development projects such as running water, sewer, a new school, or some other type of project for the entire community.
In addition to the farming project, HISG is supporting livelihood training for women in the community and supplying school shoes and uniforms, vitamins, and food to orphans in the surrounding villages. The community has expressed sincere gratitude for all that the orphan care project has done for the children.
Banda Aceh was almost completely destroyed by 40-foot tidal waves in the 2004 Asian Tsunami, and the United Nations has estimated that the recovery will take ten years. Unfortunately, most of the aid organizations are planning to leave in 2009. The orphan care and farm livelihood projects are reaching out to this community that has suffered so much. If you would like more information on how to partner with HISG in this effort, please contact us.
Humanitarian International Services Group | 870 Commercial Lane, Palmer Lake, CO 80133 Phone:(303) 662-0845 | HISG is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization