Homeware

Three years ago, Agus was under the impression that he was a step closer to having a successful business- he received a large order from an Australian buyer for a shipment of homeware boxes. Once the products were made, Agus was given a cheque for 25 million rupiahs (approximately US$2,600) from a local cargo company who acted as an intermediary for the buyer. The cheque turned out to be fraudulent but Agus could not afford to take legal action. Unfortunately, what happened to Agus is quite common in the craft business but small producers, like him, continue to take the chance. Agus did not let the incident bring him down and so he started from scratch again and continued to work. Tragically, he suffered another shock when the local market in which his homeware retail shop was located was burned to the ground in May this year. With no insurance, he lost everything and became heavily in debt. As a Wahana Kria Putri Foundation's micro finance client, Agus received loans to re-establish his business and was also given comprehensive training in business management and product development, which helped him improve his products. Today, Agus runs his business at home: a two-storey shed in the slum areas of Denpasar. The upper floor is used as a “factory” to make his products. Some day, Agus would like to move the factory out of his home and open a retail store again. He would also like buy a computer for the business. Agus is determined to take himself out of poverty and establish a secure future for his young family.