Thanks to help from Bli De, Swastika, Pak Agung, Bu Maya and other awesome TPENers, in Oct/Dec’11, our lovely Dewi & Dayu, worked together with various advisors & supporters to conduct an community livelihoods assessment. The assessment covered the 3 Banjars included in Desa Pekeraman, Sumampan. Our goal was to get a better understanding about what makes the local economy in Kemenuh tick.
Back in the '70s and 80's Kemenuh had one of the stronger economies in the Gianyar District. Many of Bali's true 'Master Carvers' were from, and based in Kemenuh. They produced magnificent artifacts that today are held in revere in museums world wide. But over time, the demand for great works of Balinese carved art was replaced by the demand for low-cost, mass-produced handicrafts, and Kemenuh struggled to re-align its creative expressions and compete with other areas in Bali that were more geared up for mass production type craft work.
Out of 45 business owners the majority were small Warungs, some of which only sold pre-processed foods and goods (retail only) and others that also prepared and served meals. Items that are being regularly sourced from outside the area, and in other words have good potential for local enterprise development, include all sorts of basic commodities including Eggs, Vegetables, Fruit, Meat, Rice, Packaging, Household items - Pretty much everything! Click here to access or download the complete report.
For a wonderful booklet made by the team that showcases many of the local small business owners in the area click here...
The Cultural Tourism Program for Desa Kemenuh
Desa Kemenuh has been working on the development of an integrated Cultural Tourism Program, for which they have strong government support. TPEN members have been supporting the program and have helped to design a series of promotional billboards that are now placed at both entrances to Kemenuh and along the main road.
This flurry of activities supported by TPEN occurred in conjunction with the Desa Kemenuh Cultural Tourism Program Launch (on 11•11•11). The promotional materials help to highlight the cultural and environmental beauty of this truly lovely village.
Since that time, the team has also been working with the head of the Cultural Tourism Program, Pak Sila, to develop a website that will help to showcase some of the great aspects of the village's program, including opportunities for people to experience and explore Balinese culture more deeply. Click here to see the site that is currently under development... And please do try out some of the great tourism opportunities showcased on there!
Interested in getting involved and experiencing the joy of being part of a vibrant Balinese community, while in and supporting this great Program?
Desa Kemenuh is always seeking people who are interested in spending some time supporting foreign language classes that are regularly happening at the Desa Office for local youth... Go on down and introduce yourself and sign up!
