Stories

Organic Vegetable Garden Empowers Women of PEKKA Kharisma Group

I am Sutimah, a middle-aged housewife who works as a cook at a neighbor’s house. I am a proud member of PEKKA in Central Java.

I feel grateful to join PEKKA, my group is called Kharisma, founded in 2013. Through PEKKA group, I could do various activities such as save or get a loan capital or buy basic needs from members of the groups. Not only that, the group also serves as a bridge of communication and information for the members. PEKKA taught us new knowledge on how to manage our women’s group and gave insights to help our village to end poverty.

In 2015, the members initiated to grow vegetables in Kartiyah’s backyard, one of our group’s members. The vegetable garden aims to improve access to nutritious food and help Blado’s people to generate additional income.

PEKKA granted us IDR 1.000.000 (AUD 99) to manage 3 x 5 m² land and buy the equipment. We planted various vegetables such as chili, cauliflower, green mustard, tomato and eggplant. We also grew high-price commodities such red and local ginseng.

After two months, we picked the vegetables and felt satisfied with the results. We sold a bundle of green cabbages for IDR 10.000 (AUD 1), a small green tomato for IDR 3.000 (AUD 0.3) and a bigger one for IDR 4.000 (AUD 4.0). We use the income for funding the next planting cycle.  All in all, Pekka Kharisma garden has brought positive change. Growing our own vegetables and starting our small business have brought us closer.

Faizah, Pekka’s member, said, “I’d rather buy vegetables in Pekka’s garden rather than spending my money for vegetables sold in stall since they are fresher.”

In the future, we plan to breed goats and grow more organic vegetables. Hopefully, we could successfully carry out the plans and eradicate poverty in Blado village.

*Completion of Most Significant Changes written by Dhesi Vienayanti