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Basmadi can laugh now, surviving the disaster with bike repair business

The eruption of Mt. Sinabung has changed the life of Basmadi Kapri Peranginangin. The disaster has ruined his village and livelihoods, but he has now risen with new hopes and dreams with his new business.

Article | Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia | 15 March 2017
Farming was once the only source of income for the family of Basmadi Kapri Peranginangin, 27 years old man. Living in Kuta Mbelin village, Sub-District of Naman Teran, Karo District, most of the villagers made a living from vegetable farming. Located nearby the Mt. Sinabung, the area was known for its soil fertility and productivity, particularly for vegetables and fruits.

The eruption of Mt. Sinabung in 2013 had changed the lives of Basmadi and his family as well as the rest of villagers. They could no longer work on their farms due to damages caused by volcanic ashes. They also had to move out to a displacement camp in the capital city of Karo district, Kabanjahe, for approximately one year.

With the knowledge and tools given by the ILO, I am now skilled to provide various services. I am now capable of unpacking and packing the motorbike engine and repair other parts of the engines that I was not able to do before."

To make a living, the eldest son of three brothers and a sister worked as a farm labourer. He received a daily income of Rp. 60,000-Rp. 70,000. “I only got paid when there was work. Unfortunately, the work was not available every day and I worked upon request,” he said.

After a year in the displacement camp, Basmadi decided to return to his home village. He got married and started to work on his family’s farm land. They tried to plant potatoes and vegetables. Yet, the volcanic ashes again damaged their farms and ruined the harvests. He then decided to rent a house in Siosar, a relocation area provided by the government for the three destroyed villages.

“I just started my own family and I had bigger responsibilities. I had to fight for my own family. I intended to seek for a new opportunity in Siosar. A fresh start to rebuild our life by trying other way of living or opportunity outside farming,” he recalled his moving to Siosar in December 2015.

As a graduate from automotive major of the Vocational High School, he tried to open a small motorbike repair workshop. Due to limited budget and tools, he could only provide a flat tire repair and carburettor cleaning. He earned around Rp. 1 million per month which was only enough to support the basic needs of the family.

I can even save now. I save the majority of my income of Rp. 2.5 million every month that I will use for my daughter’s needs and to continue expanding my business in the future. I once felt unsure about the future, but now I am excited to plan my future. I can laugh again and no more despair."

In May 2016, he learned about the ILO’s youth programme through the joint ILO-FAO-UNDP Programme supported by New Zealand’s International Aid and Development Agency named “The Mt. Sinabung Recovery Support Programme” (SIRESUP). The youth programme recruited youths from the affected villages to be trained as participants in motorbike repair training. In addition to the technical training, the programme also provided a training on financial education and entrepreneurship.

After the completion of the training, Basmadi received an after training support (ATS) in the format of basic tools and business assistance. He is now able to expand the services of his motorbike repair service and triple his earning to Rp. 3.5 million per month.

“With the knowledge and tools given by the ILO, I am now skilled to provide various services. I am now capable of unpacking and packing the motorbike engine and repair other parts of the engines that I was not able to do before,” he said.

Not only more skilful, Basmadi is also more finance literate. He prepares his own financial plan so that he can expand his business and buy additional tools and spare parts. “I can even save now. I save the majority of my income of Rp. 2.5 million every month that I will use for my daughter’s needs and to continue expanding my business in the future. I once felt unsure about the future, but now I am excited to plan my future. I can laugh again and no more despair,” he concluded, proudly.