Partnerships Boost HFH Indonesia’s Programs To Serve More Families

Habitat Launches Second Phase Of Krispy Kreme Partnership

JAKARTA, 14th May 2009: Having provided new homes and other shelter solutions for an estimated 6,000 families from the island of Sumatra in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia is moving ahead with plans to establish a regular Habitat program on the second-largest island in the country. The target is to serve 4,000 families every year.

New and current partnerships are invaluable in fulfilling HFH Indonesia’s vision of helping even more families.

Chris Joseph (left), Krispy Kreme’s senior director of international franchise operations, with Indonesian singer Afgan at the launch of the second phase partnership with HFH Indonesia.

Staff from PT General Motors Autoworld Indonesia and volunteers from Automotive Journalists’ Forum built with HFH Indonesia in Sukakarya.

Mukiat Sutikno (left), managing director of PT General Motors Autoworld Indonesia, leading by example during the build.

Volunteers from Kalbe Nutritionals in South Bandung.

Japanese volunteers laying bricks in Paiton (left) and enjoying a break (right).

To reach its target, HFH Indonesia plans to expand services through the existing Habitat Resource Center in Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra province on Sumatra. It aims to have programs spanning Medan, West Sumatra, Aceh, in the north, and the neighboring Riau Islands. Services will include programs and partnerships in housing microfinance, disaster mitigation, water and sanitation, and broader community impact.

HFH Indonesia has developed a series of active partnerships with business corporations. In one such partnership, HFH Indonesia this month launched the second phase of a tie-up with U.S.-headquartered doughnut chain Krispy Kreme. Customers at Krispy Kreme outlets in the capital Jakarta can buy Community Cards at 30,000 rupiah (US2.90) each, with the sale proceeds of the cards going to HFH Indonesia. The recent launch was attended by Joseph Kaesshaefer, commercial counselor at the U.S. embassy, and featured a performance by popular singer Afgan.

HFH Indonesia raised 135 million rupiah in the first phase of the partnership, from March 2008 to April 2009, which also saw Krispy Kreme staff and local journalists went on day build with Habitat in Sukakarya village in West Java.

Through its partnership with the Royal Bank of Scotland, HFH Indonesia was able to renovate the houses of 71 families in Jagalan Bororejo sub-district, Solo city. In addition of building new walls and painting roofs, HFH Indonesia’s Yogyakarta affiliate renovated one of the four public toilets used by the community.

Other corporate volunteers are also firm contributors to HFH Indonesia’s efforts to eliminate poverty housing.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of PT General Motors Autoworld Indonesia (GMAI), 47 staff went on a Habitat build in Sukakarya village, West Java. They were joined by 15 volunteers from the Automotive Journalists’ Forum (FORWOT), an association of journalists. Mukiat Sutikno, GMAI’s managing director, said: “This is our commitment as a company that has sensitivity to the environment and to the Indonesia social fabric.”

The motor firm began partnering in 2002 when General Motors Foundation donated US50,000 to build 50 houses in flood-affected Sukakarya. Up to 300 GM staff across all ranks have built with Habitat as part of the company’s volunteer program. In August 2008, GMAI committed to donate one million rupiah to HFH Indonesia for every Chevrolet car that was sold for a day. Total funds raised was 110 million rupiah.

In their recent build, GMAI volunteers helped Habitat home partner Gunawan who had to put up with living in a wooden house with a soiled floor. The lack of adequate sanitary facilities was also a problem for the contract worker and his wife and one-year-old child. The volunteers’ help had brought hope. “We are happy that the roof will not leak anymore and the floor will be cemented,” said Tini. Gunawan will be repaying 130,000 rupiah monthly over four years for the loan which he received to rebuild his house.

In addition to volunteer labor, FORWOT also donated 18 sacks of cement to HFH Indonesia for builds in Sukakarya. Eri Haryoko, FORWOT’s general chairman, was thankful for the opportunity for the company’s volunteers to play their part in corporate social responsibility.

Separately, Standard Chartered Bank Indonesia’s chief executive officer Simon Morris led 30 staff to build in a village east of the capital, Jakarta. They volunteered under a partnership agreement inked early in 2009. Stanchart Indonesia committed to fund 200 million rupiah and send 500 staff on volunteer builds with HFH Indonesia.

Equally zealous was the team from Indonesian health food company Kalbe Nutritionals. In the second one-day build with HFH Indonesia, 100 volunteers helped to build or renovate houses of five families in Neglasari village, Banjaran subdistrict in South Bandung. At the end of their build, the volunteers shared their insights on teamwork and planning over dinner in Bandung. In February, Kalbe sent more than 200 staff to build with Habitat in Yogyakarta.

Overseas volunteers also made a difference to Habitat families in building safe and durable homes. A 12-member Japanese team earlier built in Paiton, a four-hour ride from Surabaya, at the eastern end of Java island. Team leader Kohei Nonaka said most of his team-mates took on short-term jobs so as to save money for their trip to Indonesia. He ranked the experiences of building homes, practicing their English with local people and a horse-riding session as memorable.