East Java Tourism News

Village sees future in computers

May 31st, 2007

Remote places do not always lack facilities and technology, as is the case in Kertosari village, located on the slopes of Mount Semeru in Lumajang regency, East Java.

Remarkably, Kertosari village hosts technology similar to that in big cities, including up-to-date computers equipped with various programs and with access to the Internet 24 hours a day via satellite.

“We hope to alleviate poverty through Information Technology (IT),” said Sahlan Basyar, coordinator of the Semeru Telecenter.

Kertosari is located in Pasrujamber district, Lumajang regency, some 180 kilometers from the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya.

The three-hour journey from Surabaya to Lumajang can be made by public bus or minivan. From Lumajang it takes another hour to reach Kertosari village by local minivan. The road is hilly and winding and is lined with trees and paddy fields.

Semeru Telecenter is located in front of the Pasrujambe field, next to the Pasrujambe Military Command Office.

The telecenter looks like a residential house, the only difference being it is furnished with an assortment of hi-tech gadgets, including an Indosat IM2 satellite dish.

“We are able to access the Internet by using the satellite dish,” Sahlan said.

The telecenter was officially opened in mid 2005, and was built with assistance from the National Development Planning Board and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Kertosari, with a population of 3,100 people, was chosen for the program after achieving first prize in East Java’s Poverty Alleviation Integrated Movement competition.

“They also considered this place to be undeveloped,” Sahlan said.

The telecenter is an IT-based community activity center and aside from its computers and internet access, it is also stocked with printers and photocopy machines. Local residents are able to use most facilities in the center free of charge.

Although initially it was planned the center would not be profit based, human resources and funding were limited, so it was decided the center would run off its own profits.

In Kertosari, the majority of residents work as farmers. Most people are only educated up to the elementary level, which is why the telecenter also offers computer training.

“Even in large cities, not everyone is able to use computers, especially the Internet,” Sahlan said.

Members of the community are taught how to use the Internet through neighborhood meetings and religious gatherings held every Thursday night. Public awareness drives are also carried out through community radio.

“Through these initiatives, we explain the advantages of being able to use computers and the Internet,” Sahlan said.

These efforts have paid off. Kertosari residents are beginning to realize the importance of being able to use the facilities available at the telecenter.

Since the center opened almost two years ago, 20 people, predominately youths, have taken part in an intensive training program.

Tofan Mukhlis, 18, is just one resident of Kertosari who has discovered the benefits of mastering IT.

“Initially, I was only interested in playing Play Station games, but once I became more familiar with the Internet, I realized I could learn a lot more,” Tofan told the Post.

“I usually surf websites about sport and IT,” Tofan said, adding that he now uses the Internet on a daily basis.

Tofan is also learning about how servers operate and about website design.

“Thank God they trust me and have made me an employee here,” he said.

The center also markets locally made products such as banana and ginger crackers and locally produced silverware through its website, which can be accessed at: http://www.indonetworks.co.id/semerutelecenter/.

Sahlan said products from Kertosari and surrounding villages have been successfully marketed in Malaysia and Togo thanks to the website.

ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Lumajang

Entry Filed under: East Java News