Ø Economic Activity
KYPA’s activities focus on two areas, specifically Lhoong, Aceh Besar (beginning March 2005) and Samalanga, Aceh Bireuen (beginning July 2005).
A. KYPA’s efforts in Lhoong focus on coastal livelihoods on Aceh’s west coast (including farmland in six villages and maritime activities in three villages). Aims that have already been realized there include the following:
1. Hand tractor distribution in 28 villages Lhoong sub district (with FAO)
2. Water melon project (Glebruk and Meunasah Lhok villages)
3. Sewing Training (Meunasah Pungkala village)
4. Peanut and corn planting (Cunden, Meunasah Cot and Pudieng villages)
5. Chili planting (Pasi village)
6. Paddy field ( Monmata, Lamsujin, Lam Julang and Ketapang villages, with FAO)
7. Chicken farming (Meunasah Cot village)
8. Fisheries projects on fishing rod (Jantang village) and riverbed (Jantang village)
B. KYPA Samalanga, meanwhile, focuses on coastal livelihoods on Aceh’s east coast, especially in Kecamatans Jangka Buya, Samalanga, Simpang Mamplan, and Jeunib. These efforts are directed toward the livelihoods of community groups, particularly Village Cooperatives. As a pilot project, KYPA has begun working in Rheum Baroh Village, where the tsunami destroyed a lot of property and paralyzed the local fishing economy. Activities already underway in Rheum Baroh include the following:
1. Children’s Activity Center
These centers function as a place where children can gather after the tsunami in order to play, study, recite Qu’ranic verses, dance, and engage in various other activities. KYPA has already constructed centers in several villages, including Rheum Baroh, Ulee Kareung, and Cureh Baroh.
2. Fish Processing Kitchens (Gender Analysis)
The fish processing kitchens aim to help the local fishing economy to recover, and are interdependent with the various fishing methods employed by local fisherfolk. These methods range from the traditional pukat nets and smaller jalo and katek boats to the more modern labi-labi and kerapuh boats. KYPA has already constructed kitchens in Rheum Baroh, Kuala Kiran, and Pante Rheng. In addition, KYPA has also provided pukat nets and jalo boats in Rheum Baroh.
As of now, the local fishing economy has not yet recovered fully because of a lack of fishing boats and nets. As a result, the fish processing kitchens, which depend on the boats’ daily catch, are similarly hampered.
3. Clean Water Supply (negotiations underway)
Clean water will be provided for families who must walk between 200 meters and 2 kilometers to obtain clean water assistance from other NGO’s.
4. Home Industry Recovery (for women)
This program aims to support women’s livelihoods with the goal of improving family incomes. These activities emphasize women’s skills such as sewing, baking, and weaving.
5. Chicken Farming (for women)
This program has been postponed due to the threat of avian influenza that has surfaced in some parts of Aceh, as well as several countries throughout the world. The program intended to provide women with the opportunity to manage their own chicken and poultry-raising initiatives.
