Client Story - Rohani

Rohani is one of Diman's client in Bekasi branch and a member of Bunga Anyelir group. Residing on the outskirts of the railway station bekasi. She joined with Dian Mandiri since 2005 with the initial loan of Rp 500,000. Now she is in her 14th period (TB loan Rp 2.5 million) plus the Gold Client loans amounting to Rp 5,000,000 (third period).From the results of the survey on the environment and the group, Rohani known as a housewife, a tenacious and hard working. Prior to joining the Dian Mandiri's Rohani find it rather difficult to develop her business because of the limited capital that she had. According to her, Dian Mandiri is helping families to develop their business, as evidenced by a loan from Dian Mandiri which was successfully used to advance her stall at the station so that she had more flexibility to sell. 


The impact of Dian Mandiri is increasingly beneficial to Rohani's families. Evident from the growing business of vegetable selling, and again with the food and supplies business in the same market.
 The positive thing about Rohani is that each received loan is always used for the development of her business for merchandise or for the equipments. Besides, she's never late in terms of installment payments, and always paid on time. So no wonder, thanks to hard work and high sense of responsibility, the business still exists until now. 

Photo business client Vegetable Trade 

Evident from the increase in business equipment she owns. One of them is the engine grated coconut and herbs machine, a used pick-up car for every day activities to buy vegetables from the wholesale market in Cibitung. 

According to her husband (Mr. Malih) Dian Mandiri really helped small communities, especially small traders in their environment, especially for families, because the presence of Dian Mandiri made his family more excited to increase its business. Especially their children because it was firstly just Rohani trading at the market, but with the development efforts of all children and daughter, they all go trading at the market every day. 

Her hopes are that they would continue their cooperation, Dian Mandiri advances even further and to reach small communities, especially small traders that are still bound by the daily cooperative in the Bekasi suburb train station which its residents mostly trade in the station. Besides, she hoped Dian Mandiri is pleased to facilitate its clients with business equipment loan, so that the small and medium business community in particular have no difficulty in developing their respective businesses.

Cient Story - Mrs. Juarsih

Success and Effective 
Client Name: Mrs. Juarsih (49 yrs) 
Group Name: Eastern Star (SG) 


Juarsih  is one of the target client of Multipurpose Cooperative Enterprises (KSU) Dian Mandiri, which is really successful and effective in managing the loan given. During the past eight years as a member of the KSU, at least there are four types of business she runs that works. Starting from selling fried snacks, then improving the business with pastries. Originally the cake she made was very limited in quantity and type, but until now the number has grown large which is no longer sold in shops, but served by the order for events or a celebration party. While running the business mentioned previously,  Juarsih also runs a business selling clothes to the people around by credit (including bed linen, children's clothing, and not only that, the mother of three also sells many basic food needs by credit, such as cooking oil, sugar, rice, and so forth.

Selling basic food items this way, has an interesting and valuable story behind it. She said she really wanted to open a shop or stall in her home where there is enough room and place strategically. However, due to considerations which are not far from her home, there were two food stalls already, and then she canceled her intention to open a shop. This is in accordance with the ethics instilled by Diman for business carried on should not interfere with other traders or unfair competition (Diman Impact). Another added value is by way of credit are the people around who have been helped. 

Seeing what is done by Juarsih, showing that she has a keen eye in doing business with loan support from Diman. She was also largely responsible for the loans, payments on time. Among a group of colleagues she is known well enough and are willing to help, and still motivates peer group members to be responsible for their loans. She is also active in the local activities and motivates the women residents around like the PKK (residential meetings), Qoran recitation, and neighborhood health center. 

Mother Juarsih honestly admit that by joining Diman is very pleasant and a blessing. There are changes and improvements obtained through the current loan in the form of gold client products and small group. This client who already has two grandchildren is still trying and hoping to develop the business as a stall at the market near where she resides. By joining Diman she also aspires to send her children for a formal education, and together with the family to enjoy happiness. 

Note: Patronage Branch: Bekasi PO: Detan T Date of data collection: January 2011 Award from Diman: Client Story Competition Winner II - Diman 12th Anniversary

Client Story - Sri Lestari

 The year 1988 was the beginning of the struggle of a door to door seller carrying herbal medicine known locally as "Jamu Gendong". Even among the community this profession is often underestimated, but she is still in high spirit and keen to do business. Her motto is always inherent in each step carrying her herbs: "NK - Nikmat dan Akrab" (Delicious and Friendly). 
She went through the ups and downs of her business. The year 2002 was the beginning of a new spirit when she received a loan from Dian Mandiri. In the morning and afternoon is the time she does her activities with current ± 200 customers. This herbal medicine business is done alone as to maintain the quality of herbs ranging from shopping, mixing until a result of herbal medicine is achieved. In 2007 she improved her business by selling clothes on credit, in which the buyer is a customer of her herbal medicine as well. "Karo nyilem ngombe banyu" (drink the water while diving - is an indonesian proverb), said the mother who was always smiling and became the prize-winning client of the best story in Diman's 12th anniversary 




Since receiving loans from Dian Mandiri, her business grows and becomes the main income in the family. She really felt a lot of benefits and value gained. Although her Program Officer often change, but she felt there was no difference due to the fact she always prioritize in unity and responsibility in her group. The most favored attitude of her Program Officer is not just demanding but provides insights and solutions.
In 2005 Sri was able to buy a house that she previously rented, by the results of her labors selling herbal medicine. The year 2007 she is able to buy a land with an area of ​​270 m2. The future goals of Sri is to formally educate her children as high as possible, in order they would be clever and useful for the family. 



Note: Members of Patronage: Branch Ciputat PO: Lucky Date of data collection: January 2011 Diman Award: Client Story Contest Winner I -12th Anniversary

Kodam Jaya 61st Anniversary

In celebrating KODAM JAYA 61st Anniversary on the 19th of December 2010, Dian Mandiri Foundation participated in a morning exercise continued by a morning walk and tree planting in Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta.

Prior to that, on the 13th and 14th of December 2010 were conducted a series of Social Event (Baksos) on the teritory of Korem 052 and Korem 051. On this oppurtunity, Dian Mandiri delivered 17 wheelchairs, 500 packages of rice each wieghing 3 kilograms.

Balerante Ashen

11.15 AM - Balerante Village, Klaten.

 The journey of Dian Mandiri's team today is heading towards the west are of mount Merapi. We will be traveling to an area only four kilometers away from the peak of mount Merapi. The west side of Merapi has endured far worse compared to the east from this disaster. This area is covered by a thick layer of volcanic ash, and not only that, but also a hot could of gas and debris known to the locals as 'Wedhus Gembel'.

 Our travels across the lands are fairly distant from our post in Yogyakarta. This time we passed an area which connects between two cities of Yogyakarta and Solo. Through out the journey, the locals seem to have continued their daily activities, but once in a while remnants of volcanic ashes are still visible along the street, including branches, leaves, infrastructure such as gates and fences. It seems to be that the conditions around Merapi after the disaster have not yet fully recovered.

  Finally we arrived in an area just outside of Klaten at 11.15 A.M. According to the information we recieved, this area has been scourged heavily by the hot volcanic ash. We did not know which area the locals described, until we discovered a Search And Rescue Team Post. We exited our vehicle and tried to ask towards the S.A.R. team siting around in front of the post about this heavily devastated area.

 That area is the Village of Balerante and only four kilometers away from the peak of mount Merapi. The Search And Rescue team Immediately offered to guide us towards the location. From the S.A.R. outpost, we had to travel another ten kilometers to reach the village.

 Quiet and full of ashes like a ghost town, this is our first impression upon reaching the gates of Balerante. According to the information given by the S.A.R. team, the residents of this village have evacuated the area long before the thick ashes poured. The entire village survived, but their belongings, house, agriculture and livestock are gone devoured by the hot cloud of Merapi.

 The appalling condition intensified as soon as we got out of our vehicle and inhaled the surrounding air. The scent of cold, moisture intertwined with the stench of rotten flesh of the livestock pierced our senses.This aroma disturbed our sense of smell, but according to the search and rescue team who guided us, this scent of death is nothing compared to the previous day when they arrived in the area for the very first time after the disaster, burning all remaining livestock in the village.

 Even though this event did not claimed any lives of its residents, the condition of this village is beyond words. All infrastructure are collapsed and covered with thick layers of ashes rendering it uninhabitable. The plantation which is the primary source of lively hood of the residents can no longer be relied upon, all are destroyed and flattened to the ground. All livestock which were not evacuated perished, like the 21 cattle which were sheltering in a barn. The village of Balerante has now changed into a deserted ghost town unsuitable to live in.

 After documenting of the area is complete, we decided to move on. However, not far from where we parked, lies a house which was occupied by the search and rescue teams among the young and able of the residents, monitoring the condition of the village on site. We stopped by the house, and distributed some of the aid that we brought into the area, such as sarong, rice, instant noodles, and vitamins. They were very exited and added that they were also in need of an electric generator.

  Aid and donation were limited in the area due to the fact that this is well inside the danger zone, restricting access into the area. Only the search and rescue teams along with local security personnel are permitted to guard the area, even though this is inside the twenty kilometer evacuation radius set by the government. The residents are evacuated to refuge camps, not permitted to visit their homes.

 According to the search and rescue teams guarding the village, the residents of the village will be permitted to visit the area of Balerante soon, but not to stay. The majority of the residents have decided to move to another village which is more secure and with better conditions, yet more than a few residents have decided to stay in Balerante and hold out.

  Currently the main problems are recovering the condition of the village and steps to be taken post-disaster. It is undoubtedly that a lot of the residents will lose their livelihood along with their house. They will face harsher challenges compared to living in the refuge camps. They need aid from people who are fortunate like us.

Distress on the foothills of Merapi

15.30 - Babadan 1 Village, Paten


The cloudy weather and the fresh breeze accompanied Team Diman's  journey this time. Rice fields and tobacco plantations became a scenery which we can enjoy. Our APV which we rode upon cruised at sixty kilometers per hour on the road which connects Magelang and Boyolali. We headed towards an area in the foothills of mount Merapi to meet our informant Sugito.

After we met with 'Mas Gito', as we referred to his familiar greeting, we were guided immediately heading towards a village. Mas Gito rode on his motorcycle and our car followed from behind. Mas Gito is a resident of the village and through him, we were informed that his village needs assistance. This village is called Babadan 1, within the Paten region, and only five kilometers away from mount Merapi.

The journey to the village from the spot where we met Mas Gito took appoximately an hour. The road conditions are quite challenging, because the road that we went through were uphill and wide enough for a single vehicle among steep cliffs. It felt forever until we reached the village, we even had to pass three villages below Babadan 1. This is understandable, we are heading towards a village only five kilometers away from the peak of mount Merapi.

 Finally, we arrived at the village of Babadan 1. Like any other villages, visions of houses walled with woods and bamboo welcomed us. Yet a different scene painted the area, a village covered full in grey, even the plants aren't green but grayish in color and withered. The steep road in the village covered in thick mud are starting to harden. Lands around the village are mixed with volcanic ashes and hardened like new soil blackness in color. Several of the rooftops collapsed unable to hold the weight of the volcanic ash piling on top. This village really has gone through a thick storm of volcanic ashes.


We stopped in the home of the village head who is currently cleaning the neighborhood along along with other male residents. They greeted us immediately, and Mas Gito explained the purpose of our arrival in the village. The village head was so pleased to receive us, he described that the residents of this village numbered 400 people and mostly elderly. When Merapi erupted, all civilians were evacuated to a safe zone in the lower Paten region  and currently there are only several male residents who returned home to feed their livestock and clean the ashes covering their village.


We received received an information, about the sad fact that when asked about the aid received. "Well, the aid and donation are stockpiled below. Maybe because this village is to far above, sometimes when there are donations, the post tell them to deliver it over there. The reason being is this area is still restricted to enter, but in reality is not like that." explained Mas Gito followed by the Village Head confirming it. Resulting in residents returning from the refugee camp not receiving any form of aid what so ever, even though they need it. Besides that, the next question that arises is, "Where did they deliver all the supplies piled up below?"


Though Babadan 1 Village is located on the foothills of mount Merapi, it turns out they are having difficulties in finding clean water for their daily needs. We are able to see a lot of water storage facility that are maintained locally in the neighborhood which are filled by taking from a source far from their village. Mas Gito explained,"We are having difficulties to find clean water, especially after the water got mixed with the ash, made it more difficult". After Merapi erupted and their village plundered by volcanic ash, water supplies became limited, even the water gathered now are mixed with ashes. Now, whenever they need to gather clean water, they need to head downhill and visit a distant village below.

After a brief moment of discussion, we offered what little assistance we can offer. We brought several sack of rice, medicine,instant noodles and several sarong. They were glad to receive, and we kindly asked them to always report back to us about their condition, so that they may remain monitored by Team Diman. After that we documented what aid we gave out and took pictures.


Not all residents of Babadan village went home from the refugee camps, they still need our attention. The poor condition of the village and its infrastructure are becoming an obstacle to face their daily lives. The piled up aids and donations will not guarantee their lives forever. The residents needs a hand which can support them restoring their lives in the village. Dian Mandiri is here for them, and we will always monitor their conditions and needs. It is now time for us to leave this village, all message and aid have been delivered directly to them, eventually a mix of fog and ashes accompanied our journey home, Team Dian Mandiri Foundation.

Kesulitan desa di Kaki Gunung Merapi

15.30 – Desa Babadan 1, Paten

Cuaca yang mendung dan angin yang bertiup sejuk mengiringi perjalanan Tim Diman kali ini. Sawah dan perkebunan tembakau menjadi pemandangan yang dapat kami nikmati. Mobil APV yang kami tumpangi melaju 60 kilometer per jam di jalan yang menghubungkan Megelang dan Boyolali. Kami menuju sebuah wilayah di kaki Gunung Merapi dan akan bertemu dengan seorang informan yang bernama Sugito.

Setelah kami bertemu dengan Mas Gito, begitu sapaan akrab Sugito, kami langsung dipandu menuju sebuah desa. Mas Gito menggunakan motor dan mobil kami mengikutinya dari belakang. Mas Gito memang warga desa tersebut dan melalui dia, kami diinformasikan bahwa desanya sangat membutuhkan bantuan. Desa ini bernama Babadan 1 dan berada di wilayah Paten, dan hanya berjarak 5 kilometer dari Gunung Merapi.

Perjalanan cukup lama dari lokasi kami bertemu Mas Gito, kurang lebih 1 jam. Kondisi jalannya pun cukup menantang, karena jalan yang kami lalui menanjak dan hanya cukup 1 mobil diantara tebing yang begitu curam. Rasanya sangat lama menuju desa tersebut, bahkan kami harus melewati 3 desa yang berada di bawah Babadan 1. Maklum, kami menuju kaki Gunung Merapi dengan jarak 5 kilometer dari puncak gunung.

Akhirnya, kami sampai di desa Babadan 1. Seperti layaknya desa, rumah-rumah berdinding kayu dan bambu menyambut kami masuk ke desa. Tapi, yang berbeda adalah warna desa yang abu-abu semua, sampai tanaman pun tak lagi berdaun hijau melainkan keabuan dan layu semua. Jalan desa yang menanjak diselimuti lumpur tebal yang mulai mengeras. Tanah di sekeliling desa pun sudah bercampur abu vulkanik dan mengeras layaknya tanah baru berwarna kehitaman. Beberapa atap rumah roboh karena tak lagi mampu menahan berat abu vulkanik yang menempel di atasnya. Desa ini benar-benar sudah dilanda hujan abu yang begitu lebat.

Kami berhenti di rumah kepala desa yang sedang bergotong royong membersihkan lingkungan bersama beberapa warga pria. Mereka langsung menyambut kami, dan Mas Gito pun menjelaskan maksud kedatangan Tim Diman di desa itu. Sang Kepala Desa begitu senang menerima kedatangan kami, ia menjelaskan bahwa warga desa ini berjumlah kurang lebih 400 orang dan sebagian besar adalah warga lanjut usia. Namun ketika Merapi meletus, semua warga diungsikan ke wilayah yang aman di daerah Paten bawah dan saat ini hanya beberapa warga pria saja yang kembali untuk memberi makan ternak mereka serta membersihkan sisa-sisa abu vulkanik yang menyelimuti desa tersebut.

Kami mendapat informasi fakta yang begitu miris ketika bertanya mengenai bantuan yang pernah diterima. “ Jadi, bantuan itu numpuk di bawah aja. Mungkin karena desa ini terlalu atas….kadang kalau ada bantuan yang datang, sama posko di bawah disuruh taruh disana, alasannya daerah sini masih terlarang untuk dimasuki, padahal sih ya nggak gitu Mas….”, Mas Gito mencoba menjelaskan diikuti oleh Kepala Desa yang membenarkan kondisi tersebut. Akibatnya, beberapa warga yang sudah kembali dari pengungsian tidak dapat bantuan apapun, padahal mereka sangat membutuhkannya. Selain itu, pertanyaan selanjutnya adalah kemana bantuan-bantuan yang sudah menumpuk di posko bawah tersebut disalurkan?

Walaupun desa Babadan 1 berada di kaki Gunung, ternyata mereka sangat kesulitan air bersih untuk kebutuhan sehari-hari. Kami melihat banyak sekali bak penampungan air yang mereka kelola secara swadaya mengambil sumber air yang letaknya cukup jauh dari desa. Mas Gito menjelaskan,”Kami memang punya kesulitan buat dapat air bersih, apalagi sekarang air udah kena abu, jadi makin susah….”. Setelah Merapi meletus dan desa mereka dilanda abu vulkanik yang begitu hebat, pasokan air menjadi semakin sulit, bahkan air yang didapat kini sudah banyak bercampur dengan abu. Kini, untuk mendapatkan air bersih mereka harus turun dan mengambil air dari desa yang berada jauh di bawah mereka.

Setelah beberapa saat berbincang, kami langsung menurunkan sedikit bantuan yang kami bawa untuk mereka. Beberapa karung beras, obat-obatan, mie instan dan beberapa sarung. Mereka sangat senang, dan kami pun meminta mereka untuk selalu memberi laporan kepada kami tentang kondisi mereka agar kebutuhan mereka selalu terpantau oleh Tim Diman. Selanjutnya kami mencatat bantuan yang telah diberikan dan berfoto bersama mereka.

Warga desa Babadan 1 memang belum semua pulang dari pengungsian, namun mereka tetap membutuhkan perhatian. Kondisi desa dan infrastruktur yang memprihatinkan menjadi kendala mereka menghadapi hidup sehari-hari. Bantuan yang telah menumpuk tidak selamanya dapat menjamin kehidupan mereka selanjutnya. Warga desa Babadan 1 butuh uluran tangan yang dapat menopang mereka memperbaiki kehidupan desa mereka. Dian Mandiri ada untuk mereka, kami akan selalu memantau kondisi mereka dan apapun yang mereka butuhkan. Kini, tiba waktu kami untuk beranjak dari desa tersebut, pesan dan bantuan telah disampaikan secara langsung, selanjutnya kabut dan abu yang bercampur mengiringi perjalanan pulang kami, Tim Yayasan Dian Mandiri.