Innovation

Ratnawati Sutedjo started Precious One Foundation in 2004, in a mission to create job opportunity for disabilities by stimulating local production of high quality crafts. Special products for special people is their motto. In the beginning, they only produced greeting cards, hair clip and teaching aid, but later on, the product items improve to other crafts such as bag, cushion, hampers, kitchenette, lunch bag, pouch, wallet, tissue case, and accessories. After more than 10 years in social enterprise, they can see the fruit of their labor. Some of their clients are top brand which continuously order in regular basis, such as Iwan Tirta, ANZ, JungleLand, Permata Bank, Halo BCA, Jakarta Great Sale, even INASGOC for Asian Games 2018.

Precious One employs 22 people with disabilities for production, and 4 non-disabilities people (including the founder) for marketing, procurement, purchasing, administrative area. They also apply regular process for recruitment and employment.

As socio-enterprise, Precious One also runs some CSR activities:

1. I Can Do. This program purpose is to create positive activity, turn disability to ability. Intended for people with intellectual and sight disabilities, where they can work for packing service supply for restaurant and catering. This community-based activity currently conducted in two workshop, Central of Jakarta and Tangerang.

2. Special Day for Special Children. One special day for children with disabilities to experience game arcade in public shopping mall. Start in 2011 with 800 children, now there are more than 3.000 children that has joined this program from Semarang, Tegal, Bandung, Solo, Purwokerto.

3. Job Placement for Disabled People. Disabled people are being left behind and are living in poverty with very limited life chances. Through this program, Precious One advocate corporation to recruit disabilities, to enforce Law No.8/2016 on people with disabilities.

4. Stop Bully Disabilities Campaign. To raise awareness about bullying that special needs person may be at higher risk of being bullied. This program is presented in schools and corporations as well.

5. Everyone Can Be a Hero. Spread the spirit of heroes by sending superhero plush made by deaf and mute friends. This is the join campaign that everyone can buy the dolls and then give it to children/friend who might need to remind that their struggle can be inspiring others.

Inspiration

Ratnawati Sutedjo was enforced to take a bed rest since she was heavily ill in 2001. In the moment of her weaknesses, she experience the disability condition that comes the ideas of helping the disabled. During her recovery period, she hold on to her vow to help disabilities. So she learned sign language, and met a chance to met one deaf person, which inspired her to help her. Back then, disabilities is not a common topic to be discussed, let alone initiate a Foundation. She received negative response from her family. But, she determined to follow her heart and aspiration to have an independent Foundation, which can be useful for the disabled communities.

“Where your treasure is, there your heart is”, that’s what she said. She invested her own money and beloved sewing machine to start her Foundation.

She had her ups and downs in the beginning. In 2013, business operation didn’t go well due to human resource mismanagement. At early years, she would accepted all deaf applicants without proper recruitment process. But after a while, she learned that to make the business growth we need to have qualified team. When her business operation is getting better, she implement proper recruitment process in place.

Now, Precious One’s products made by people with disabilities are already cooperated by high profile company such as Inasgoc for Asian Games, AirAsia, ANZ, Kalbe, Enseval, Oxone, Tupperware, Fujifilm, Halo BCA, Permata Bank, Iwan Tirta, etc.

Overall impact

The founder determined to make her Foundation an independent Foundation. Although Ratnawati politely decline to mention Foundation’s revenue, she ensured us that Precious One already managed to fund itself by selling its products domestically and internationally, through many channels (online, offline, shops, exhibitions). Having said that, the employees are in save and positive working environment yet very happy worker. They can be financially and mentally independent, give themselves purpose in life, and gain self confidence level.

Business benefit

Starting from zero, Precious One is now a place for 27 employees, 23 out of them are disabled. They have various products which are sold through many distribution channels. Their products are in souvenir/gift category include home décor, bags, wallet, bag, kitchenette, tissue case, and visual aid. The added value of this business category is the client can request custom product that might suit their needs.

They have routine employee engagement by having educative outing. For instance, this year they held deaf and mute walking tour collaborate with 100% Manusia movement. The activity is covered in some publication, because of the inclusivity. Besides that, they also visit juvenile prisons to share the spirit of positivity from person with disability. Hopefully this can help to restore self image, understanding to find purpose in life, and give motivation to them that God has a plan to give hope and future.

Social and environmental benefit

Precious One has opened the opportunity to disabled people to thrive in their life, financially and mentally independent. They can stand to prove the world that they are as precious as non disabilities people. On top of that, this foundation also beneficial to the environment, since they are put some effort of reduce trash and plastic even using used banner to be reuse as product packaging.

Interviews

Ratnawati Sutedjo, Founder

Dea, Employee