INACRAFT 2022 showcases batik products made by Rumah Belajar Batik students.YCAB Foundation presented exclusive creations from Rumah Belajar Batik through INACRAFT 2022 (The International Handicraft Trade Fair). Held on March 23-27, this event featured signature Indonesian handicraft products such as batik, weaving, footwear, jewelry, household appliances, souvenirs, and many more.
Located at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), this event was supported by various sectors, both government and businessmen including the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA), and the Indonesian Exhibition Company Association (ASPERAPI).
INACRAFT 2022 is a golden opportunity for YCAB Foundation to showcase batik products made by Rumah Belajar Batik students. Batik industry is one of the largest contributors to foreign exchange according to the records of the Ministry of Industry. As quoted from the Ministry of Industry’s data, batik exports in 2020 reached USD 532.7 million, and within the first quarter of 2021, it reached an astonishing number of USD 157.8 million.
With the needs stemming from the rapid development of the batik industry, YCAB Foundation disrupts production activities by empowering the community to become batik entrepreneurs. The batik exhibited at INACRAFT 2022 is the creation of underprivileged youths catered by Rumah Belajar Batik from Pemalang, Pekalongan, and Semarang. These students are empowered by batik, financial, and digital literacy training that paves the way to economic independence.
37 established batik businesses have succeeded in creating jobs, and 4 villages assisted by RBB Semarang have become batik villages.Since its launch in February 2020, Rumah Belajar Batik (RBB) was first established in Semarang with the aim to create jobs through community empowerment while preserving the batik heritage. Currently, as many as 37 established batik businesses have succeeded in creating jobs, and 4 villages assisted by RBB Semarang have become batik villages. 194 participants who joined RBB Semarang also experienced a 170% increase in income, almost 3x of their preceding income.
“I learned how to make batik from scratch and gained more knowledge. I came to know that the process of making batik is really fun!” mentioned Marsya Celvia Nourvita Sari, a Rumah Belajar Batik student from Kendal, Central Java.
Fardelia Messyta Dewi, an 18-year-old youth, whose creation managed to rank 13 out 20, felt greatly supported by Rumah Belajar Batik’s program.Fardelia Messyta Dewi also felt the benefits of learning in Rumah Belajar Batik. This 18-year-old youth from Semarang managed to rank 13 out of 20 selected works of the national batik design competition Rupa Karya from the Presidium of the Indonesian Parliamentary Women’s Caucus (KPP RI).
“Rumah Belajar Batik taught me how to design batik and when I took part in the national batik design competition, I was in the top 20. It’s great to see my creation displayed at the batik exhibition in Jakarta. Thank you Rumah Belajar Batik ” said this 18-year-old youth from Semarang, Central Java.
Rumah Belajar Batik is a great testimony of YCAB’s vision of sustainable impact. “They are empowered to empower others. This is a social innovation that I am proud of and a source of inspiration for me to continue to educate and promote MSME womenpreneurs in the creative economy sector. When our next generation is top-notch, Indonesia will thrive!” said Veronica Colondam, Founder and CEO of YCAB Foundation.
