AusAid & Pekerti
Apart from Kasongan, Yogyakarta has another ceramic region, that is in the Pundong District, Bantul Regency. We can find and see products made of clay. There are a lot of increases in regards to the design and quality of product made, so it is not only functional, but also artistic impression. Pekerti’s consultant, Anton Clark went there with an English ceramic industry expert, Simon Platt, to asses the future of possible aid to the ceramic industry there. They submitted a comprehensive proposal for business re-establishment. Aside from working capital and kilns, the proposal outlined new technology that can be cheaply incorporated into the industry to increase efficiency and production as well as a training program of shortening the supply chain and increasing market access.
Pundong project was done with the following stages:
- Project Preparation: Resurvey of beneficiaries, Program socialization.
- Training for making kiln: Insulating firebricks-making training, Kiln-construction training, Four display training kiln-constructions
- Business training: business development training, Market access training, Value adding and finishing
- Market linkage survey and seminar
The six-month training has brought about positive impact on the participants, in terms of the newly-acquired skills and knowledge. In addition, they now use 50% less wood by using two-side fire burning and with newly introduced insulation techniques are achieving higher than previous kiln temperatures. Their motivation was also improved because they could apply the knowledge, thus this would improve their business management skills.