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2004 Boxing Day Tsunami – Five Years On
Aceh entrepreneur teaches the art of resilience - Story by Katrina Peach

Ninety-nine percent of Dedek Syahrizal’s employees are mothers. Through their job, they are able to send their children to school and buy a motorbike for family transport

 

On December 25, 2004, Dedek Syahrizal, 40, of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, was an ambitious entrepreneur on the verge of expanding his traditional handicraft business.

 

The day after, his life collapsed when the Indian Ocean tsunami, triggered by a 9.15 magnitude undersea earthquake off the coast of the Indonesia’s island of Sumatra, flattened his home and production facilities, and killed eight of his family members, including his mother and sisters, and some of his staff members.

 

“I lost everything. My house was destroyed, my family dead. The only thing remaining was the floor of our bathroom and the bathtub. At first, I almost gave up and felt too tired to rise again … but it was World Vision that gave me support,” remembers Dedek.

 

Rising from the rubble

These days, Dedek is the proud owner of the Jaroe Souvenir Co-operative in Banda Aceh and he is “totally back in business”.

 

Dedek combines traditional Acehnese patterns with modern designs, transforming them into beautiful embroidered wallets, purses, sandals or handbags, which are must-haves for tourists and locals alike.

 

World Vision helped with start-up capital to procure embroidery, sewing machines and raw materials, such as thread.

 

“We had ideas and World Vision had a programme. Together, we are now able to transfer our skills to the community thanks to World Vision’s funding from generous donors,” says Dedek.

 

The co-operative has 170 members, including a number of tsunami survivors. The monthly turnover is between NZ$5600 toNZ$8500.

“Ninety-nine percent of my employees are mothers. Through their job, they are able to send their children to school and buy a motorbike for family transport. This is my biggest satisfaction,” says Dedek.

 

Developing livelihood skills

"After the tsunami, we knew non-governmental organisations, such as World Vision, would come to Aceh to help us. But we also knew it would not last forever. We had to become more creative and self-reliant," explains Dedek.

 

He is keen to see his fellow Acehnese develop and expand new livelihood skills. So, Dedek and his team donates their time to run training workshops in the art of traditional Acehnese handicrafts in neighbouring villages, through World Vision’s economic recovery programme.

 

Dedek is passionate about supporting others: “We should live to help other people, by teaching and sharing our knowledge so others can work and earn an income. “

 

For his rebuilding efforts, Dedek was one of four recipients in 2007 of the Indonesian President’s most prestigious Upakarti Award. Dedek received the award for his service to and impact on society.