choice between returning to work and looking after the family is a difficult decision for mothers, but there are many in Indonesia unfortunately, simply not make that choice. Recently, sustainable program Usaha KecilKU (UKKU) was created to help disadvantaged moms who stay at home become true entrepreneurs.
BrandsEarlier this month, the most valuable company (MVB) Indonesia launched UKKU in an attempt to support the unfortunate mothers stay at home to develop their own small businesses. Sustainable program was developed especially for the ladies because MVB Indonesia believes it can empower them to work while taking care of their families.
Talk to Indonesia Expat Chief Executive Eamonn Sadler MVB Indonesia revealed that "this small business can be set up and managed the house for the ladies are always able to take care of their homes and families in need. "
Indeed, these days more and more women are increasingly prioritize career over family life. But unfortunately this is out of necessity and not by choice. Either they become a mother working and earning money, or stay at home to look after the children but suffer financially.
UKKU came up with the idea of providing women with the necessary facilities for the management of a small business. When the project began, ten women were selected to participate based on their financial situation (they have to live below the poverty line) and their potential to change their destiny. After passing the selection process, they received three months worth of stock to open their own businesses, where at the end they get to keep the profits obtained.
For example, they manage to create their own warung that comes with the products that will be sold and the furniture in it. Not only that, UKKU provides training and additional assistance until the mothers can really stand on their own two feet in the long term.
"The women are also trained in small business management and accounting so they can become truly independent businessmen in their own right.
We give them a start and the training they need to succeed. After that, we provide ongoing support until they can survive on their own, "said Sadler.
The sustainable program also works with the foundation Yayasan Biji Sesawi or Full Life Community and is also supported by nine members of MVB Indonesia, including Coca-Cola Amatil, Telkomsel Indonesia and IKEA.
Sadler described the partnership as "purely voluntary", where both parties make no profit from the program and they do not charge women to receive the stock, service and training.
partners like Coca-Cola Amatil contributed by organizing business workshops, while Telkom gave selected women free smartphones.
"With these smartphones, they are able to facilitate the payment of various bills for their customers as well as being able to sell the credit to mobile phone users. They receive a small commission for each of these operations, "Sadler said of working with Telkom.
UKKU was essentially built to show how companies should comply with their commitment to support the community, and in this case the support and empowerment of women. MVB Indonesia itself has always been familiar with sustainable development and eco-project environment, which helps those who have the desire to build a better world.
In this regard, the concept of women's empowerment is an important message that Indonesia wants MVB spreading further. The struggle for gender equality has indeed been a problem in the world being, though Sadler found that Indonesia seems to be handling this better than most countries.
"The whole world has a long way to go before women and men are truly treated equally, without question, but Indonesia is doing its part and do a lot better than many other comparable countries. in fact, women are better represented in the Indonesian government than many others around the world, "he revealed.
Regardless, he said that UKKU was not designed as a movement or criticize the progress of gender equality, but simply serves to contribute to the empowerment of women in Indonesia.
Yet while gender equality remains a serious task for women worldwide, UKKU proved why working mothers should never be undervalued in our society.
"Women are just as capable and hard-working than men and in many cases more. The evidence is already there, you just need to make people sit up and take notice, "said Sadler.
In the future, Sadler hopes that the number of mothers and partners involved in the program who stay at home will increase in the meantime, he and his team plan to continue the training of existing ten women.
"We will monitor and adjust the existing program until that we are pleased that it can be reproduced without repeating the inevitable errors to us early. Then we plan to bring more women into the program as time and resources permit. "
For more information please visit www.mostvaluedbusiness.com