In 2007, Aso sudarso (40) started his handicraft business together with his wife, Ningsih. He Specialized in wooden handicraft and supplied his products to Yogyakarta, Bali and Jakarta. Then the economic crisis hit and affected his business, until he met with Pekerti in 2008. Since then Pekerti have been able to support Aso by providing training and finding buyers for his products .

Aso’s ability to translate images into a quality product and supported by the management capabilities  of his wife, Ningsih,  has meant that this couple have grown Dadan Craft to employ 25 staff from the local area..

“We have to make a good product, because with a good product if the buyer likes then they will add the order” says Ningsih. She believes with good service she will get more orders. “If we get a lot of order so workers are not idle, if they do not work they have no income” Ningsih added.

Aso buys his raw materials directly from the orchard growers, this makes the price of raw materials cheaper. In term of production process, Aso  uses sub-contracters to help make “basic products” and employs 10 permanent staff as painters. “All workers are paid-per piece” said Ningsih who is fully responsible for the payment of wages to the employees “they’re work become more diligent and effective” replied Ningsih when asked why she  decided to stop paying  the staff an hourly rate.

To have a better quality product for customers, Aso uses non toxic paint he had bought in Jakarta, in addition to always following the directions of the Pekerti team in controlling the quality in every step of production process to avoid a fatal mistake in making the products. This system of quality control in every step of the production process is highly beneficial and has helped  reduce the risk of rejects suffered by this group of artisans

“The visit of the buyer is also knowledge for us, we can learn from them how to make products and manage the business well” Aso said. “As ever there are buyers who visit the place to comment about our production, we now realize that the work became more comfortable because of improvements suggested by the buyer.”

“We hope to continue doing business with Fair Trade, because we feel lucky, we got knowledge and the payment system is also better than our other business partners. Of Fair Trade we also can experience for training, know how to correct working conditions, etc. We hope to continue to order so or employees can keep working and get income. ” said Ningsih.