During 2013 SEEDS, working with its partner national organisation in Indonesia, Yayasan Pendar Pagi, was able to part-finance a loan for three families in the village with whom we have had long-term connections, enabling them to carry out essential renovations to their homes. One family told us “when it rains outside, it also rains inside”. Another showed us the damage done by termites to the main walls of their house. Of the total amount available to them half would be repayable in fortnightly instalments (which they choose to pay when they receive their wages) over a couple of years.

One of the conditions for receiving the loan was successful completion of three months of ‘savings’ payments, in order to evidence their ability and commitment to making the repayments. All three recipients met these criteria, and the loan was released at the beginning of September 2013.

Within weeks, all the renovations had been completed and the outcome has been overwhelmingly positive, with significant improvements to their homes being carried out efficiently and wisely. One man dismantled his entire collapsing roof and erected a fresh, termite-free wood frame covered in durable roof-sheeting. Another thoughtfully decided to build one concrete-walled, waterproof room in the centre of his bamboo-walled house as the first part of his new home that he hopes he will eventually have. The changes were dramatic, and we joined in their delight! All the more so as the months have passed: the rainy season this year has brought heavy downpours and floods and the family with the new roof have stayed dry, while the family with the waterproof room have been able to take shelter with their small grandson from the knee-high floods.

One family sought supplementary loans from friends, which meant they were able to build concrete breeze block walls for part of the kitchen, replacing the bamboo matting, and also replace the entranceway that was extremely dangerous in its previous condition. They still have considerable housing needs – their kitchen is substandard, and the toilet arrangements are extremely unsanitary. But the rain doesn’t come in any more, and they are able to sleep in peace without fear of tiles falling on their heads. This is a big first step, and we hope they will do more when they can.

All the recipients of the loan have been diligent in making repayments, in one case exceeding what is required so that the loan can be repaid more quickly.

Recently a SEEDS member conducted two training days for both bachelor and master students on using up-to-date technology for integrated chip (IC) design (wikipedia). The training was held at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Hasanuddin University in Makassar, Indonesia. Students in East Indonesia have little access to new technologies such as IC design which could bring a major boost for developing new industries and create jobs for graduates.

Because of such missing industries, graduates often end up in jobs that are not related to their studies. This training was offered in conjunction with other skills trainings organized by the SEEDS member’s Indonesian colleague that can build up industrial expertise of future graduates as they consider starting small businesses.

The previous IT industry work experience of our SEEDS member made the training practical and relevant in addressing real problems that are frequently faced in designing ICs. One of the participants had formerly developed his own processor but encountered some timing problems. Our SEEDS member was able to identify the underlying problem and suggested some solutions. It would be sad if the inventiveness of this student failed because of a lack of support and encouragement from experts in this field.

During the training the participants asked how they could obtain the soft- and hardware needed for engaging with this technology. Our SEEDS member has surveyed free or low-cost resources that are sufficient for getting started right away.

Most of the masters students who attended the training were lecturers from other universities in East Indonesia. They will pass on to the next generation of students the know-how that they have received, but also a hope to contribute in the development of their beloved country.