The Indian Ocean Tsunami
The Devastation in Aceh Before
After
The Impact of Tsunami on Women The Indian Ocean tsunami was indiscriminate between taking the lives of men and women. However, according to statements issued by the United Nations and World Health Organization, women are made more vulnerable post-Tsunami due to their socially and physically constructed roles.
The Sufferings of Women in Aceh
Even before the Tsunami, the women in Aceh have suffered greatly due to an ongoing civil conflict between Aceh and Indonesia. Many Acehnese women are going through loss and displacement for the second time and the recent Tsunami crisis have also increased the number widows in Aceh.
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In a number of villages in Aceh, 40% of the households living on less than $1/day are headed by women. The law of Indonesia states that man is the only head of the household. Widows often face discrimination from the community members and government officials who view them as burden to society. When husband dies, families plunge into cycle of poverty that can last for generations. Children are pulled from school to help support their family and impoverished household must sell whatever meager assets they hold.
Women and Work According to the Women’s Edge Coalition, many traditional occupations for women (ie. agriculture) are no longer possible since land, houses, and workplace have been destroyed by the Tsunami and much of the natural resources are no longer available. Although real income-generating projects can only be possible after physical and emotional recover, they can still be seen as part of the recovery process. Ratna, who lost her husband, child and six other family members, talks about the embroidery program she is a part of. It was started by a relief group in Aceh that supplies women with materials to create embroideries to express themselves and also sell for a living:
“I am so happy to be doing this again. If I just sit and do nothing, I think about the Tsunami. If I can do something then maybe I will forget. It’s like recreation for me to wipe out the bad memories. If I do this, I will make money, I will sell it”
PEKKA Started in 1999, PEKKA (The Women-Headed Household Empowerment Program) is the 1st development project in Indonesia to work with widows in areas of large scale civil conflict. The group has helped widows in Indonesia overcome isolation, shyness, and fear of voicing their opinions. They have also provide them with job training and small-scale loans and have more than 6000 members today.
One of the programs they have started in Aceh was to train women as photographers. This training not only gives them the unique income generating skill to take pictures at important events in their villages and at weddings, but also gives them a means to express themselves with confidence. Many of these women use the camera to tell the stories of their lives and struggles. In April 2004, the World Bank hosted an exhibit in Washington, featuring photographs from 20 Indonesian widows. 9 of these widows traveled to Washington to attend the opening of the exhibit.
PEKKA has started its Tsunami relief efforts through providing cash money for women to buy daily foods and re-start economic activities.
Jobs in Aceh Making bricks is a centuries-old industry in Aceh. Although many have been damaged by the Tsunami, it is a business that will recover due to the high demand to to rebuild homes and businesses in the region. Just in the Miruk Lam Reudeup region alone, there are about 100 brick making enterprises, each employing 30 people and making about 400 bricks a day. Currently, the Edinburghbased aid agency Mercy Corps are providing rebuilding aid many of the brick factories in the region to take advantage of a boom which would keep them in business for years to come. Similarly, in the region Baitussalam, the International Rescue Committee will fund some 25 local brick making facilities to rebuild Aceh. Brick-making in this region was responsible for nearly 50% of all local employment before the Tsunami.
Since brick-making requires clay and kilns for firing, these are important skills and resources that already exist in Aceh. In the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province, traditionally women made bricks within the family business.
Life in Aceh
Currently, a small number of families that lost their homes due to the Tsunami are living in semi-permanent barracks built with wooden structure and corrugated iron roofs. Each barrack has twelve 4m x 5m rooms with one window and one door that is meant to house a family of five. Each barrack also includes one 2m x 25m common kitchen. However, as of January 23, 2005, only 10% of the barracks needed in Aceh have been built and many displaced families and individuals are still living in tents. The Indonesian government estimates that displaced Acehnese will live in these barracks for up to 2 years.
Women & Food Traditionally, it is the woman’s responsibility to cook for her family, even if she carries the extra burden of being the sole financial provider.
Problems with cooking: 1. In barracks: limited amount of cooking space for multiple families. 2. Outdoors: unsanitary, uncomfortable, and weather dependent. 3. Overburdened: widows need to work and cook, leaving little time for self. Problems with eating: 1. Space: temporary shelters are cramped and provides no space for families to sit down and eat a proper meal. 2. Utensils & Vessels: all possessions lost in Tsunami so eating out of plastic containers.
Food in Aceh Although cooking varies greatly by region, most Indonesia food shares the food trinity of fish, coconut and chile. Meals are usually set out all at once and family members help themselves, serving with a spoon and always eating with right hands. Cooking is usually done communally. One basic ingredient of every meal is the long grain rice and it is usually served with soup, salad, and another main dish. Often, the meals are accompanied with sambals, spice relishes that are mixed with the food. The food of Aceh is generally hot and spicy and seafood is often served due to the area’s proximity to water.
Problem Statement
In Aceh, the area hardest hit by the recent Tsunami, it is estimated that women make up 70% of the population (United Nations Development Fund for Women). The Tsunami has left many women without any means of support both financially and physically due to the loss of their husbands and jobs. According to studies done by the Women’s Edge Coalition based in Washington, D.C., women face greater challenges and are more vulnerable than men in the aftermath of natural disasters. Furthermore, they are prone to inequality and over burdened by responsibilities due to their social position and physical disadvantage. A product or system is needed to unite and empower these women to become financially independent while giving their new lives hope, respect, and meaning.
Responsibilities & Needs
Responsibilities care of children & elderly rebuild life clean make a living cook
Physical Needs work learn new skills rebuild homes education start-up help/capital clothing Privacy
Emotional Needs gain confidence hope comfort overcome grief support & recognition share their stories
Project Goal To design a system that will satisfy the responsibilities and needs of Acehnese widows.
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Provide an opportunity to make a living. Provide new skill training. Provide a safe and non-exploitive working environment. Provide a place to share grief and overcome pain together. Provide an opportunity to establish respected social position. Provide help to juggle multiple responsibilities.
Project Gaia: The Food & Design Coop Gaia (jee’-uh) Known as Mother Earth in Greek mythology, she is the goddess of creation who gave birth to Pontus (the Sea) and Uranus (the Sky) parthenogenetically (without male intervention). Coop Short for cooperative: 1. Done in cooperation with others. 2. Marked by willingness to cooperate; compliant. 3. Of, relating to, or formed as an enterprise or organization jointly owned or managed by those who use its facilities or services .
The logo symbolizes the coming together of Acehnese widows to provide food and better lives for themselves and all of Aceh.
The Food & Design Coop A coop will be set up by non-profit organizations for Acehnese widows to join. The coop is named “Project Gaia� and will be divided into two parts: Part 1: Food Services - preparing, selling, and distribution of meals. Part 2: Design Services - designing, producing, and selling the containers/vessels for the meals. Each member will work at one part of the coop and enjoy the services, products, and profits from the coop. Ideally, the coop will be self-sustaining after initial skills training and initial set-up of cafeteria, studio, factory, and store.
The Food & Design Coop: Food Services
Preparing, selling, and distribution of meals: This part of the coop takes the form of a cafeteria situated near temporary shelters or barracks. The cafeteria will provide home cooked meals prepared by coop members for residents of Aceh (at a reasonable and low cost) and also for coop members (free). It will be an environment that is simple but warm and inviting, especially for displaced Achenese who are living in cramped and impersonal temporary shelters. For those who have limited mobility, a delivery service is provided.
The Food & Design Coop: Design Services Designing, producing, and selling the tableware for the meals: This part of the coop consists of a design studio, ceramic factory, and store front. Participating members are trained in either design, production, or selling of containers/vessels. These products will either be used in the cafeteria or sold to residents who have lost all their belongings and are starting to rebuild their lives. There is also a possibility for coop members to develop their craft in ceramics and sell to an international audience.
The Food & Design Coop: Materials and Production Materials: The same clay used to produce bricks in Aceh will be used to produce the ceramic pieces.
Production: The ceramic pieces will be produced using hand-made molds and the slip casting method. This process was chosen to differentiate the skills of participating Acehnese widows from the skills of traditional potters in other parts of Indonesia, like Lombok and Bali. Since many women in Aceh are familiar with using their hands in crafts like embroidering, this production method will not only utilize their existing skill but also give them a new skill.
The Food & Design Coop: Preliminary Designs
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The Food & Design Coop: Design Criteria The purpose of Project Gaia is to help widows of Aceh become financially independent while enriching their lives with hope, respect, and meaning. Since all ceramic pieces will be produced by members of Project Gaia, the designs should stay true to their culture, while providing them with a creative and expressive outlet. The first ceramic line, Gaia, is designed to preserve the Acehnese culture. Gaia will consist of five pieces: 1 large plate, 1 small plate, 1 large bowl, 1 small bowl, and 1 cup.
Each piece in the line will take the same form and will include a designated area that serves as a blank canvas for members of Project Gaia to express themselves. Designs can either be carved or painted on. To help the participants in developing their artistic talents and design skills, a set of traditional Acehnese motifs will be provided as a template and inspiration.
The Art of Aceh: Themes Based on Islamic tradition, there are five themes found in the art of Aceh: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Concentration on symmetry and simplicity. Abstract form. Geometric form. Nomadic nature - patterns convey a sense of movement. Love of light and open space.
Since the majority of Aceh is Muslim, and Islam forbids representations of the human in any form, motifs in Aceh tend to be abstract and based on nature. Floral and fauna motifs are commonly used decorative elements in architecture, cloth, jewelry, and ceramics.
The Art of Aceh: Colors The colors used in Acehnese art are usually strong hues found in nature: Morinda red, turmeric gold, rambutan skin purple, soot black, rain forest, green, indigo blue and papaya orange.
The Art of Aceh: Embroidery, Motifs and Patterns
The Food & Design Coop: Inspirations
The Food & Design Coop: Design Template 1
The Food & Design Coop: Design Template 2
The Food & Design Coop: Design Template 3
The Food & Design Coop: Design Template 4
The Food & Design Coop: Design Template 5
The Food & Design Coop: Design Template 6
The Food & Design Coop: Design Template 7
The Food & Design Coop: Form 1 Large Plate: 15.5” x 16.5” x 1.5”
Large Bowl: 10.5” x 11.25” x 5.5”
Views
Back
Top
Side
Section
Small Plate: 9.5” x 10.5” x 1”
Small Bowl: 6” x 6.25” x 3.25”
Cup: 2.8” x 3” x 3”
The Food & Design Coop: Form 1
Large Plate Top View
Small Plate Top View
Large Bowl Top View
Small Bowl Top View
Cup Top View
The Food & Design Coop: Form 2 Large Plate: 18.5” x 18.5” x 2”
Large Bowl: 10” x 10” x 5.75”
Views
Back
Top
Side
Section
Small Plate: 10” x 10” x 1”
Small Bowl: 5.5” x 5.5” x 3.25”
Cup: 3.6” x 3.6” x 3”
The Food & Design Coop: Form 2
Large Plate Top View
Small Plate Top View
Large Bowl Side View
Small Bowl Side View
Cup Side View
The Food & Design Coop: Form 3 Large Plate: 15.5” x 16.5” x 1.5”
Large Bowl: 10.5” x 11.25” x 5.5”
Views
Back
Top
Side
Section
Small Plate: 9.5” x 10.5” x 1”
Small Bowl: 6” x 6.25” x 3.25”
Cup: 2.8” x 3” x 3”
The Food & Design Coop: Form 3
Large Plate Top View
Small Plate Top View
Large Bowl Side View
Small Bowl Side View
Cup Side View
The Food & Design Coop: Final Design
Complete Set
Bowl Plate
Cup
The Food & Design Coop: Final Design
Complete Set
Bowl Plate
Cup
The Food & Design Coop: A Better Tomorrow
Although the Indian Ocean Tsunami has destroyed much of Aceh, it is not a tragedy without hope. This destruction has brought along with it an opportunity for change and a chance to make things better. With Project Gaia, the widows of Aceh will have a second chance in a life - a life with independence, respect, and meaning.