Adaro's fostered training center still exist in tough condition

Tanjung, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Sahabat Skill and Training Center (LKP) in Paringin, Balangan District, led by a housewife, still exists and consistently providing business development training, despite the tough condition of the pandemic.

This is one of the MSMEs fostered by PT Adaro Indonesia. With its 21 members, it focuses its business on sewing training and producing the typical Sasirangan fabrics of Balangan as an effort to preserve local wisdom.

“I used to be a training instructor at the government's Vocational Training Center (BLK). During my work, I saved money to buy a new sewing machine and to open my own sewing course at home," said Siti Rohana, chairperson of the LKP Sahabat.

She said teaching and sewing was her dream since she was a kid.

Seeing her enthusiasm, Adaro came to provide assistance and coaching.

“In 2016, we received training from Adaro to develop LKP. We got lessons for several days about the technique to make sasirangan cloth, making patterns, to coloring. Thankfully to this day, we are still being assisted in developing LKP," said Rohana.

During the pandemic, the LKP's turnover has drastically reduced. This condition opened the minds of businesspeople here to innovate, one of which was through the production of Acil Proker (Aksi Cinta Indonesia Lawan COVID-19) face masks.

The production of three layers of cloth masks utilizing the remnants of sewing cloth while empowering 30 local tailors produced more than 10,000 masks.

“Every time there is a request for the procurement of masks, we always try to distribute orders to all LKP Sahabat members, from here they are being empowered," Rohana told.

LKP Sahabat also held free training for underprivileged or school dropout youths. There have been 50 of them who have received free training.

The LPK Sahabat has then a big impact on the environment, economy, social welfare of the community.