Becoming a Master
Breaking the limitations of people with disabilities, Sulaeman, 54, develops leather crafts in Sleman, Yogyakarta. He also invites other disabled people to work together and become entrepreneurs.
“I push them to develop their own businesses, recruit other people with disabilities and spread the spirit of self help,” Sulaeman said at the end of April.
Sulaeman got in an accident when he was young and one of his legs was amputated. Every day, he performs activities on one prosthetic leg.
Sulaeman was persistent to run his leather craft workshop, which he started in 1996. At his shop, called Fanri Collection, in Sukoharjo village, Ngaglik district, Sleman, he employs 15 people. Ten of them are disabled.
They produce 500 to 1,000 crafts a month. The crafts, such as bags, wallets, belts, bracelets and shoes, are made of cow leather and manta ray leather.
Even though he has physical limitations, Sulaeman is tough and involved in all of his business activities. When Kompas visited the workshop, he was busily wrapping the wallets in plastic covering. He did it sitting on the floor, taking off his prosthetic leg. Once in a while, he put on the prosthetic leg, stood up and welcomed customers. He also checked the production activity of his employees inside.
Sulaeman has seen four employees resign to start their own businesses. Now, the four former employees have developed their own business groups, employing other people with disabilities.
“As long as they are willing to start their own businesses, I share my skills and knowledge with them and let them go,” he said.
Starting a business
Sulaeman grew up in Jakarta. At six years of age, he lost his leg due to an accident. Such a condition made him depressed for years. He was unwilling to continue his study. However, regaining confidence, he continued school until senior high school (SMA).
After graduation, his confidence dropped. He felt that he did not meet the “no-physical disability” requirement. He lost enthusiasm.
As long as they are willing to start their own businesses, I share my skills and knowledge with them and let them go.
With only a high school education and his physical condition, he was aware that the chance for employment was limited. “There was no other way but to start my own business,” he said.
One friend, also a person with a disability, informed him about a Christian rehabilitation and health center, Yakkum, in Sleman regency. The young man was interested in gaining skills and a prosthetic leg.
He joined Yakkum in 1987. For three months, he learned about leather craft. He also practiced producing items as per Yakkum request.
He was recruited to work at a nongovernmental organization in 1991, which also produced manta ray leather. He worked there for two years.
In 1993, he returned to Yakkum to give training to other people with disabilities. His skills improved in producing leather crafts.
Sulaeman decided to quit in 1996. He produced crafts on his own. Some of them were Yakkum’s requests.
His business developed, more orders came. A year later, he recruited employees. Initially, 10 employees worked for him.
His business was up and down, some employees quit. Sulaeman invited other people with disabilities to work with him.
“The choice to replace all employees with people with disabilities was the right decision. Many people with disabilities experienced difficulties in finding jobs,” he said.
The choice to replace all employees with people with disabilities was the right decision. Many people with disabilities experienced difficulties in finding jobs.
Ten of his 15 employees are disabled, having lost a leg due to an accident, a birth defect or because of polio. With them, he kept continued developing the business with good sales.
With the help of about 10 resellers plus his exhibitions, Sulaeman’s products are distributed in Jakarta, Surabaya and Yogyakarta. Some of which have been shipped to Germany and Denmark.
Helping employees
For his employees, Sulaeman sets different wages. Those with work experience less than a year are paid Rp 20,000 per day plus meal allowance of Rp 30,000 per week. Those with more than a year of work experience receive payment in accordance to the regency’s minimum wage plus Jamsostek healthcare insurance.
Each individual recruited as an employee did not get special training. However, they were involved in each production activity and given guidance and knowledge to make them skillful. “With the skills they have acquired here, I hope they can become successful businesspeople,” he said.
Even when his employees quit and start their own businesses, Sulaeman does not mind; he hopes they will be creative and persistent.
“Let my workshop become the training ground for employees until they dare to start their own businesses,” he said.
As a man with physical limitations, he understands that being disabled makes it harder to get jobs.
Another problem is that people with disabilities often struggle to receive higher education. His employees, for example, are mostly junior high school (SMP) graduates. Some of them did not get formal education. Similar to what he felt years ago, the lack of confidence due to a physical disability often erodes one’s willingness to continue education.
Sulaeman is committed to helping his friends build their future. Not only enabling them to become employees, but also pushing them to become masters in their professions. Developing craft workshops can be one way to achieve that goal.
SULAEMAN
?Place/date of birth: Tegal, Oct.
10, 1963
Highest education: SMA Negeri 13 Jakarta
Wife: Sunarsih, 44
Children:
- Ahmad Qodir Yasirulamri, 25.
- Fani Nursahadah, 24.
Activities: Running a leather craft business, Fanri Collection