Background Information
of Present Activities
Indonesia has a well-known fabric named Tenun Lurik. This fabric is not only strong, but it has a unique stripe pattern to it. This pattern is embedded with the culture of the local region as well as a particular philosophy, in all, the Tenun Lurik has a high cultural value to it. Recently, however, less popularity, obsolete equipment, and a shortage of people to carry over the tradition in making this fabric has been the cause of difficulty in maintaining this tradition. The students of HUE, in cooperation with the villagers and Gadjah Mada University, have decided to answer the cries of the producers’ voices in not wanting to have this tradition end by focusing their efforts in assisting villagers to develop their living standards by developing new products using the fabric, promoting sales activity, providing training assistance and promoting advertising of the products they make.
History
The Indonesia International Contribution Project was started by six students of Hiroshima University of Economics (HUE). The first activities begun by HUE students were related to assisting people involved in the Central Java earthquake of May 2006. The students assisted in collecting monetary contributions on campus and delivering materials and goods to those in need. In Indonesia, HUE students participated in recovery assistance by building schools, assisting children and businesses. Furthermore, in the area of the volcanic eruption of Mt. Merapi in Central Java, HUE students assisted in stimulating business activity, promoting peace and sports activities to help out in their recovery. The initial goal of recovery assistance in the disaster areas was achieved, so from 2013, the students focused more on economic activities to develop the living standards of the poor in the rural areas of Yogyakarta.
