Since 2013 till present, CDRM&CDS has continued empowering people with disability through various project activities; regular meeting, annual meeting, trainings and supporting their livelihood programs. For improving skills of people with disability, ten (10) selected people with disabilities (PwDs) in Mentawai Island (6 persons) and Nias Island (4 persons) have attended intensively training course with CDRM&CDS support. Six (6) participants in Mentawai have took part in souvenirs production (necklace, bracelet, earring and ring) and handicraft production training (wood sculpture techniques) and intensively sewing course. And other 4 participants in Nias also have took part in intensively training course.

These projects have been benefited them as Rita Maria Sabelau, 28 years old, a mother with 2 children said “….in the past, due to my disability, I felt that half of my life opportunity has gone. But when I joined into CDRM&CDS project particularly in this intensively sewing course, my confidence has grown up. My life opportunities have come back. Now, although I have disability, I able to have a skill. I have able to sew my dress. After this training course finished, I have planned to start my tailor shop in my village”.

In Nias, Masleni Halawa, 27 years old, a girl with double disability (physical and low hearing) said” I have finished from Junior High School. Due to my disability and poor income of my parents, I cannot continue my study to Senior High School.  Due to my disability, I helped my mother to do some working in the home; cooking, sweep, washing and taking care my sister and brother. ….when I met CDRM&CDS’ staffs, they encouraged my parent and me for attending intensively sewing course. In the first time, my parent and I felt worry because I should go to outside of my sub village for attending course. But CDRM&CDS’ staffs always have encouraged my parent and me. Finally, my parent and I agreed for attending intensively sewing course for 4 months with CDRM&CDS support,” she told her struggle for attending intensively sewing course.

“Now, thanks for CDRM&CDS and donor. I have finished my course. I have able to sew various dress (women’s blouse, dress). I have a skill for sewing. I have started my business in my sub village. My parent also has happy with my skills”, she added with happy.

Written by Nelson Sinaga, Program Manager

Markus Sababalat (41), the sub-village head of erkat Lama since 2012, recalled the impact of 2010’s tsunami that destroyed infrastructure including water tank in Berkat Lama sub-village. “The rehabilitation and reconstruction program from government has failed to address the need of the community in this sub-village. Five years after the 2010’s earthquake and tsunami, government failed to reconstruct the broken facilities for clean water in this sub-village. For 5 years, 231 villagers here struggled to walk 1 km to get clean water from the mountain, the only water source around and often conflicted one another for getting clean water” Markus recounted.

Markus recounted how then in 2016 the community in his sub-village managed to rebuild water tank jointly with CDRM&CDS “Every year since 2010, CDRM&CDS has facilitated community and village government to develop village disaster risk reduction and development plan. In 2016, the Sikakap Village’s Community Development Committee (LPM) and Berkat Lama sub-village’s Community Resilience Unit (SATLINMAS) developed a proposal for rebuilding water tank in the sub-village. CDRM&CDS and community have jointly rebuilt the water tank. Community contributed building materials such as sand, pebble and timber, while CDRM&CDS contributed manufacturing materials like cement for the building. Now villagers can get water easily. The water tank has recovered the community peaceful life as they can get water close to their house from the water tank” said Markus proudly.

Written by: Elyandu, CDRM&CDS Community Empowerment Facilitator in Sikakap Village, Mentawai Islands

Yamifati Mendrofa has been teaching at public elementary school (SDN) 077 1031 Nazalou Loluwa, Nias Islands, for 11 years. In 2013 she participated in training on teaching difable children facilitated by CDRM&CDS. She told the following story of her experience after joining the training:

Bualasokhi Waruwu (15), a difable kid whose mother passed away in 2005 earthquake is eager to learn even though he has been in the fifth grade for four years. Surprisingly, he has his own chicken farm.