Reuters AlertNet Full site
Homepage | Newsdesk | NGO Latest | Crisis briefings | Country profiles | MediaWatch | Jobs | Alerting | Login

FROM THE FIELD

Indonesia - Irvandi's story: computers for living
19 Jan 2009 14:21:00 GMT
 Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - Switzerland
Text and photos by Megan Rowling, British Red Cross in Indonesia

Website: Website: http://www.ifrc.org/tsunami

218536 logo
Irvandi, 22-year-old, stands behind his desk, he took advantage of the land title that came with his house provided by the Red Crossto secure a loan that he has used to rent his shop and buy stationery stock. (p18119)
Previous | Next
Irvandi, 22-year-old, stands behind his desk, he took advantage of the land title that came with his house provided by the Red Crossto secure a loan that he has used to rent his shop and buy stationery stock. (p18119)
British Red Cross

Background

•  Indian Ocean tsunami

•  Earthquakes

MORE >>
This is the sixth in a series of nine profiles/case studies, looking at how Red Cross Red Crescent has help people to rebuild their own lives after the tsunami in Indonesia.

When the people of Panton village, in Aceh Jaya district, need documents printed or typed up on a computer, they head for Irvandi's shop on the main road.

At the back, the 22-year-old sits behind his desk, which boasts an impressive range of IT equipment. He and his partner also sell stationery, stacked on shelves and in a counter at the front of the premises.

Irvandi lost both his parents in the tsunami, but has made an admirable effort to provide for himself and his 15-year-old brother by starting his own business.

Technology

After the disaster, the brothers received a house built by the British Red Cross and a cash grant. Irvandi spent two semesters studying information technology in the town of Meulaboh, a two-hour car ride away.

He then used the Red Cross money to buy computers, which he started renting out by the hour. He also gives training in basic software packages.

This April, he took advantage of the land title that came with his house to secure a 1,194 Swiss franc loan from Bank Pembangunan Daerah, a local development bank. So far he has used the cash to rent his shop and buy stationery stock.

Initiative

"Many people are getting loans in this village," explained Irvandi. "I did it on my own initiative, and went to ask the bank if it was possible. It only took them a week to process the loan."

Canny Irvandi chose a site opposite the village school to set up his shop, and says teachers and students are among his best customers, along with local officials. As we talk, two women pop in to ask him to print out statements confirming they are kindergarten teachers.

"It's not going too badly, and I am investing money in the business," said Irvandi. "So far I've not had any trouble making the monthly repayments to the bank."

One key tool he doesn't yet have is access to the internet. But with Irvandi's drive and ambition, it may not be too long before he finds a way to get connected.

Watch Irvandi video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKrAebBgRSk

See where the story takes place (requires Google Earth): http://www.ifrc.org/docs/news/09/09011901/computers.kmz

More information: http://www.ifrc.org/tsunami


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

Email this article       Send comments

Topics

•  Crises poll 2005

•  Earthquakes

•  Media & Humanitarianism

MORE >>

Emergencies

•  Indian Ocean tsunami

MORE >>

Members

•  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - Switzerland

MORE >>

NGO latest

•  Indonesia - Irvandi's story: computers for living
IFRC - Switzerland

•  PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEMONSTRATION HALTED
Christian Aid - UK

•  Gaza: Destruction to medical facilities "unacceptable"
IFRC - Switzerland

•  China: Earthquake reconstruction efforts continue
IFRC - Switzerland

•  Mercy Corps Partners With Reach Out to Asia to Assist Needy Gazan Families
Mercy Corps

MORE >>

Latest news

•  FACTBOX-U.N. scheme aims to use carbon credits to save forests

•  Indonesia delays forest-carbon rules, orders review

•  Muslim rebels, analyst see no peace deal with Manila

•  Indonesia Pertamina: depot fire out, reopens shortly

•  Indonesia ferry captain suspect over disaster-police

MORE >>

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

Background information

Briefings
Indian Ocean tsunami - [Who works where]

Topics
Crises poll 2005 Earthquakes Feature Media & Humanitarianism
Facts & figures
Indonesia

Related articles

Breaking stories
 FACTBOX-U.N. scheme aims to use carbon credits to save forests (1 minute ago)

Indonesia delays forest-carbon rules, orders review (1 minute ago)

AlertNet insight
 Disaster-heavy 2008 raises pressure for climate pact, insurance (1 minute ago)

Aid agency news feed
 Indonesia - Irvandi's story: computers for living (1 minute ago)

Blogs
 Sri Lanka: And then they came for me (1 minute ago)

Maps
 MAP: Tuberculosis estimated new cases (2006) (1 minute ago)


Del.icio.us Del.icio.us  |   Digg Digg  |   NewsVine NewsVine  |   Reddit Reddit   
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-01-19T084706Z_01_JAK02_RTRIDSP_2_INDONESIA-FLOOD_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JAK02.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-01-19T084531Z_01_JAK01_RTRIDSP_2_INDONESIA-FLOOD_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/JAK01.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-01-19T073533Z_01_PEK08_RTRIDSP_2_CHINA-ECONOMY-SICHUAN_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/PEK08.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-01-18T193310Z_01_BEA07_RTRIDSP_2_INDONESIA-PERTAMINA-FIRE_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/BEA07.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-01-18T192656Z_01_BEA003_RTRIDSP_2_INDONESIA-PERTAMINA-FIRE_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/BEA003.htm

Vehicles are seen trapped on a flooded street in a business district in east Jakarta January 19, 2009. Overnight torrential rain have triggered, flooding in many parts of Indonesia's capital on ...


More pictures | Galleries
Disclaimers |  Copyright |  Privacy |  Contact Us |  Feedback |  About Us |  RSS XML

Last updated:Mon Jan 19 14:31:48 2009