Indonesia

In March of 2005, just three months after the tsunami that devastated much of South Asia, an 8.7 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia. Especially hard hit was Nias Island, one of the few regions in Indonesia with a majority Christian population. Over 80% of the island's infrastructure was damaged or destroyed including 1,000 of the 1,200 churches and countless men, women, and children were injured or died.

A little over one year has passed since the earthquake struck and the island still faces challenges as the people of Nias continue their attempts to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. To assist with the economic development of the island, Giving Hope International (GHI) is working with BNKP Indonesia, a consortium of churches, and local NGO Global Operations and Development-Nias to develop business opportunities that address the unique needs of the people on Nias.

During the earthquake, the only bakery on the island was destroyed and the family who owned and managed it was killed. GHI, with input from the local community, is working to build a new bakery modeled after the California Bakery built in Banda Ache by Global Operations and Development. The bakery will provide employment to individuals selected by BNKP Indonesia and will be completely self-sufficient after two years of business.

The bakery's additional revenues after employee salaries and bills have been paid will go to a fund managed by BNKP Indonesia and Global Operations and Development-Nias that will support the creation of additional micro-enterprise businesses. The first such business will be a sewing cooperative of young women manufacturing and selling mosquito nets.

The numerous new businesses will stimulate the struggling economy and will provide Nias locals with a sense of ownership and control over their future.