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Soul: Creativity through used newspaper - “A new innovation in traditional craft”
Most people ignore the piles of old newspapers in their homes, or just throw them away
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Most people ignore the piles of old newspapers in their homes, or just throw them away. But at Komunitas Jalak Bali, a non-profit organization actively supporting people living with HIV/AIDS in Jembrana, west Bali, those heaps of old newspapers can be transformed into artistic handicrafts.
Along with a number of volunteers in Baluk village in Jembrana, I Made Suarnayasa has started to create a large variety of useful and artistic products from recycled newspaper, such as keben (a rectangular container usually made of bamboo or pandanus leaves), tissue boxes and bokor (large plates usually made of silver or bronze).
The organization and the volunteers have been involved in this craftsmanship for just two months, but their determination and hard work has been fruitful. Suarnaya and his staff are able to train women living with HIV/AIDS to create products that can help them generate a sustainable income, which in turn enhances their living conditions.
Suarnayasa explained that the idea was to empower women living with HIV/AIDS. “We are hoping that they can regain their self-esteem and financial independence. If they can produce something of economic value and sell it, they can get the money they need to support themselves and buy their medication,” said Suarnayasa.
The team’s creativity has also improved the village’s environment. “We want to maximize material use. There shouldn’t be any material wasted. These products are environmentally friendly items.”
During a recent village competition in Jembrana, Komunitas Jalak Bali displayed dozens of their products. “All of our displayed items sold and the women even received bulk orders from local and foreign tourists.”
With the help of his wife, Sayu Putu Widiati, Suarnayasa teaches volunteers and the women how to create innovative forms of traditional Balinese handicrafts. To make a keben, for example, can take one to three days and usually requires around 70 rolls of newspaper.
For all the products, the newspaper is first rolled, after which it can be woven. The next steps lie in the creativity of the individual as they try to create unique but saleable items. Most of the products sell for between Rp 50,000 (US$3.65) and Rp 300,000 each.
Komunitas Jalak Bali and the women produce colorful keben, bokor and other items with distinctive designs. “Some of the products are using the original design, which makes them look very classical. When we sell them online, we immediately receive orders from clients in France, Japan and Korea. This has really pushed me and other members of the community to produce more high-quality items.”
