PALMOILMAGAZINE, CIKIDANG – Hendi, a 53-year-old resident of Kampung Pengkolan in Nangka Koneng Village, Cikidang Subdistrict, Sukabumi Regency, has successfully transformed palm oil stick waste into high-value handicrafts. His business began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when many were forced to stay home and cease regular activities.
Hendi shared how the pandemic turned his life upside down. “The inspiration came during the COVID-19 pandemic because I had so much time at home without work. I needed to find a way to survive, and that’s when this idea struck me,” he said, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from Radar Jabar on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
With the extra time on his hands, Hendi started crafting items from palm oil sticks, which were otherwise considered waste. What began as a survival strategy has now grown into a thriving business, providing a primary source of income for Hendi and his family.
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In his hands, Hendi turned palm oil stick to be kinds of interesting products, such as, plate, cup, broom, fruit basket, trophy, and medallion. The products are sold not only in Cikidang but also to other regions in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi through social media and his network.
“Alhamdulillah, the products are well-known in many regions. I did always have stands in many exhibitions to sell these products,” Hendi said.
Besides focusing on the production and selling, he wanted to share his knowledge and take the local wisdom of Cikidang. He always trained many students in schools that wanted to learn about the handy crafts from palm oil stick. “I hope the local wisdom of Cikidang would be more famous and lifted up. If the business gets developed, I would hire the local people,” he said.
Hendi sold his handy crafts in various prices, starting from IDR 5.000 until IDR 35.000. it depends on the kinds, difficulty, and size of products. With his strong spirit and the will to empower the local, Hendi proved that creativity and persistency would change the challenge to be chance in the hard times such as pandemic. (P2)
