Mrs Yani: Transforming Rattan into Prosperity

By Bina Swadaya, Self-Reliance Development Foundation, Jakarta

Kletak Village, situated in the Menganti district of Gresik Regency, East Java province, boasts numerous craftsmen skilled in the art of rattan plate making. Among these artisans stands Mrs. Yani, a woman whose passion for crafting with rattan has not only turned her into the economic backbone of her family, but has also turned her into an inspiring tale of self-reliance.

Despite her role as a homemaker, Mrs Yani aspired to bolster her family’s finances, especially given her husband’s unpredictable earnings as a construction worker. The gap between her aspirations and the harsh realities of financial independence created a sense of anxiety. Her determination to contribute to the family income was thwarted by the formidable hurdle of accessing capital.

Amid her relentless efforts, a ray of hope emerged. A neighbor informed her of an opportunity – the People’s Credit Bank (BPR) in Kebomas. This encounter, 18 years ago, marked the beginning of Mrs Yani’s transformative journey towards empowerment.

Becoming a customer of the Kebomas branch of the People’s Credit Bank emboldened Mrs Yani to seek a loan. With this financial support, she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, investing in rattan as the raw material. Gradually, she honed her skills and began crafting unique rattan plates. Yet, her challenges were far from over. The real test lay in finding the right market and identifying business prospects within the area of rattan craft.

Mrs Yani’s unwavering determination, relentless efforts, and resilience against adversity started yielding results. Over several years, her business began to flourish, albeit on a modest scale. Her knack for marketing and commitment to producing top-quality products played a pivotal role in this growth.

In crafting rattan plates, Mrs Yani receives valuable assistance from her husband and two children. From a modest start with minimal demand, she now produces more than 4,000 rattan plates every month. And today she no longer worries about marketing her creations.

“In a month, I can produce over 4,000 rattan plates, priced at Rp. 3,000 ($0.20) each. Thankfully, there is a demand for my rattan plates even in the international market, and they fetch Rp. 3,500 ($0.23) when exported,” she shares, remembering the long journey that has led her to this point.

Through the capital loan from the Kebomas People’s Credit Bank, Mrs Yani’s rattan plate business has not only secured her family’s welfare, it has also expanded into international markets. Her story stands as an inspiration for resilient women seeking to transform their lives through micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Mrs Yani’s journey underscores a fundamental truth: in the pursuit of dreams, one must never fear failure, for it is an important part of the path to success.

This article is based on: https://binaswadaya.org/ibu-yani-sulap-rotan-jadi-rupiah/