Established in 1992, DINARI continues to strive for the preservation of the environment, empowerment of the poor and socio-economic development of small business owners.
DINARI has assisted a large number of people living in poverty through their micro enterprise development program. Regular trainings are conducted which teach men and women how to run a successful small business on Bali.
They currently have 9,000 clients which consist of 450 micro enterprise groups. One group is usually made up of about 10-40 women with an average of 20 women.
“We support women, because we feel they are more responsible with money - it’s a very important part of our mission for women to be empowered. We also do gender training in the villages where men tend to be more dominant,” says Nyoman Irianto Wibawa, Executive Director of DINARI.
Many of DINARI’s clients are pig breeders or produce handicrafts for sale. DINARI trains clients who produce handicrafts in how they can best market their products for domestic buyers and not just tourists. In 2010, DINARI formed a business partnership with Malcolm Handicraft Center who purchases products direct from artisans who are DINARI members. Artisans can receive financing for production from either DINARA Ventura or MUK Cooperative. The profit from the sale of all products is distributed for: Operating costs and business development and to support social activities.
In order to get assistance from DINARI, clients must become members and get training. This includes creating a viable business plan so that their business can succeed. Once they have received training for their micro enterprise they can qualify for a low interest loan. In 2007, DINARI partnered with KIVA: a non-profit which also assists DINARI’s clients with micro enterprise loans.
The sale of pulsa by villagers is another successful micro enterprise supported by the Grameen Foundation. This has proven to be a very good business which requires no start up costs and is relatively easy. Villagers are able to purchase pulsa cheaply from Jakarta and then resell it for a profit. Many people earn approximately Rp500.000 a month from selling pulsa alone.
DINARI has also made strides with their health programs which provide a variety of training focused on women’s health, pre-natal care and baby care for up to five years. Women get one-on-one consultations with doctors. They have also invited psychologists to train women in how to deal with crisis. This has been truly empowering for many women who would otherwise repress their traumatic experiences for fear that they will be unsupported or rejected by society.
Church World Services (CWS) and DINARI have also formed a partnership to provide HIV training and nutritional counseling for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Another important aspect of this program includes midwifes who are invited to do training with young couples about how to take care of babies.
Additionally, DINARI channels a great deal of energy into their education programs. They are currently supporting elementary schools in Bangli by providing them with school uniforms, shoes, bags, towels and free English classes taught by local volunteers.
In 2008, DINARI became a part of an international network which consists of 23 countries that work together with Habitat Jakarta for ‘Habitat for Humanity’. Volunteers from all over the world come to Bali to help renovate and build homes for the poor. On average there are 30 - 40 home renovations per month. The current target is to build 1,000 new homes by 2012. DINARI has already successfully built 300 homes on Bali providing housing for people who would otherwise be homeless or forced to live in unsafe structures. Client’s get low interest loans (maximum Rp. 6.000.000) from DINARI which they must repay within 3 - 4 years. DINARI has their own architect and designer to assist with building these homes. On average, a basic two bedroom house costs only Rp. 20.000.000.
Moreover, DINARI is currently doing environmental training: a pilot program for 40 women in West Bali which is funded by Germany BSH. They have created a coconut oil cooker which is an environmentally friendly, and low cost alternative to propane.
The key to the success of all of DINARI’s programs is their outreach and commitment. They currently have 23 field officers that go into villages Mondays thru Saturdays from 9:30am – 3:30pm to monitor and evaluate their programs. This system is fundamental to DINARI’s 5 goals of transformation:
1. Economic
2. Social
3. Education
4. Health
5. Religion
At present, DINARI gives assistance to Melaya (West Bali) and Abianbase in the Badung region. This year they will be opening three new branches in Negara, Tabanan and Pemuteran in Singaraja through support from HIVOS in Holland. DINARI has partnered with organizations throughout the world, including: Tear Fund (NZ), Opportunity International Network from Deutschland, Australia and UK, Marantha Trust, Stewardship Foundation, JAFS and Australian AID-Access. They continue to seek out partnerships in order to continue funding their programs so that the quality of life can be improved for those living in poverty on Bali. If you would like more information about DINARI and how you can help, please visit: www.dinaribali.org or email: iriantow@indo.net.id.
For questions or comments about this column please email: michelina630@hotmail.com
