“Because I live alone and stay with my child, I want to help earn an income for our daily life by opening a culinary business at the company dorm,” said Kusmiyati (59 years old), a resilient woman whose humble words capture her tireless dedication to supporting her family.

Kusmiyati is an inspiring graduate of the 2019 Culinary Arts and Baking Training organized by Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM) in partnership with PT Insight Investments Management (INSIGHT). This vocational initiative represents a cornerstone of community economic empowerment, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

As a dedicated mother, Kusmiyati raised four children, one of whom is now independent with their own household. For years before joining YIIM’s program, she worked as a domestic helper and daily kitchen hand alongside her peers. Following the passing of her husband several years ago, Kusmiyati now lives with one of her adult sons in an employee mess dormitory of an engine oil factory in Cipinang, East Jakarta.

When YIIM and INSIGHT announced their culinary vocational workshop in 2019, Kusmiyati eagerly enrolled. While she possessed years of experience cooking traditional heavy meals, she lacked technical skills in baking and modern pastry making. Through the intensive course, she mastered baking fundamentals and pastry techniques. “Alhamdulillah, I gained incredible new knowledge and experience. Previously, I only handled orders for heavy meals,” Kusmiyati shared with gratitude.

Beyond practical culinary competencies, Kusmiyati was selected to receive a business starter grant and cooking equipment from YIIM and INSIGHT. She promptly channeled this support into growing a home catering venture, selling boxed rice meals and homemade pastries from her rented home in Cipinang, East Jakarta.

Her spirit of mutual aid flourished when she established a catering collective named “Grup Setia Kawan Dapur Bu Darsi” with two of her close friends. Whenever large-volume catering orders arrived, the group divided prep tasks and shared revenues fairly. For each major catering order, Kusmiyati earned an average net income of around IDR 1,000,000, in addition to bringing home prepared meals for her family. Kusmiyati firmly believes that sharing work opportunities with fellow kitchen hands uplifts the livelihoods of vulnerable households across her community.

In 2020, following the loss of her husband, her son invited Kusmiyati to live with him in the employee dormitories at the engine oil factory. Refusing to remain idle, Kusmiyati quickly identified an opportunity to serve factory employees and logistics truck drivers. She established a micro-culinary stall offering freshly brewed coffee, iced beverages, noodles, and home-cooked meal plates featuring seasoned tempeh, braised tofu, fresh fish, and savory vegetable dishes.

Orders arrive steadily through her son or from coworkers stopping directly by her stall. Her dorm culinary stall generates a steady gross weekly revenue averaging IDR 500,000. Supported by her son, who helps maintain disciplined bookkeeping and manages the weekly payment accounts of customer employees, her micro-business operates smoothly and reliably. Looking ahead, Kusmiyati aspires to further expand her catering business by acquiring additional kitchen appliances and expanding her menu selections.

For individuals and organizations interested in tasting Ibu Kusmiyati’s home-cooked dishes or placing catering orders, she can be contacted directly at +62 857-7816-5786.

Salam Inspirasi!