A few years ago, we were in Bali on a Yoga Retreat, which took us on a trek through breathtaking landscapes to discover a nearly untouched side of Bali. In addition to the beautiful views, we learned about the Muntigunung Development Program - and how their social enterprise model creates employment that supports the community. Moreover, not only does this provide a regular source of income for the communities, but it also ensures that the families stay in their village and their children can attend school rather than go begging.
The handwoven hammocks were one of the many products produced by this beautiful community. We learned that the sale of one hammock a day supports the entire village. In support, we decided to purchase a few and sell them at cost plus shipping to you. By buying these finely crafted hammocks, you not only hold a beautiful, high-quality product in your hands, you are also providing the people of Muntigunung with a brighter, sustainable future. It fills the once-forgotten Muntigunung community with pride to show the world their peaceful rural life and skilled craftsmanship.
Supporting a Holistic, Sustainable Approach
Back in 2004, Muntigunung was one of the poorest areas in Bali. It was rather inhospitable – simple bamboo huts dotted a dry, brown landscape that had nothing in common with the lush, tropical, touristy South of Bali. Families had no access to water and had to walk for an average of four hours just to fetch water. There were hardly any employment opportunities, and the intense long dry season prevented the cultivation of agricultural produce for most of the year. This forced many women and children of Muntigunung to beg in the tourist areas in the south of the island to ensure their survival. As many people in the community relied on income from begging, they used their children as “emotional sales support” with the consequence that these children didn’t attend school, resulting in a continuous cycle of illiteracy and poverty.
In 2006, in an effort to provide a more sustainable and brighter future for the Muntigunung community, Future for Children – a Swiss backed NGO, together with Yayasan Dian Desa, initiated the Muntigunung Community Development Program.
By working alongside the community, specially designed roofs were constructed to harvest and store rainwater in tanks to provide a year-round water supply. After securing and maintaining clean water for every household, the aim was to support the community in accessing healthcare and education and creating employment, and economic opportunities through social enterprises.
Today these buildings are used not only to harvest rainwater, they also provide a place for the social enterprises in the community to process food, hammocks, bags, baskets and batik products.
Over the course of several years, child mortality was reduced from 9% to 0%, the community built sanitary facilities, and access to public healthcare and education facilitated. Three social enterprises were established to develop the area’s economy: Muntigunung Community Social Enterprise (Food), Muntigunung Community Social Handicrafts Enterprise, and Muntigunung Trekking. Through the three social enterprises, community members are trained in new skills and are able to provide for their families with dignity and pride. We are proud to support their handicrafts.
Give back, relax, and unwind in a handcrafted Muntigunung Hammock
Muntigunung Hammocks are high quality Latin American style hammocks produced by formerly begging women in the Muntigunung area.
By purchasing one of our beautifully handcrafted hammocks, you are making a valuable contribution to sustainably improve the livelihoods of the Muntigunung Community.
Hammock Production
The hammock production had its early beginnings in 2012 when we invited a professional hammock maker from El Salvador to train our team in his craft.
The production center makes use of the space under the large roof of one of our communal water tanks, which is part of the water scarcity solution project in Muntigunung.
From the body of the hammock to the carved spreader, all the different parts of the hammocks are lovingly handcrafted by our highly skilled women and men and can take up to 14 days to complete. The sale of one hammock a day supports the entire village.
Most of the team members are mothers of young children or elderly women who are former beggars. The goal is not only to create high quality products and employment opportunities for them, but to cultivate a positive mentality. The group of mothers are role models to their growing children by earning a dignified income rather than begging.
You will feel amazing as you happily swing in your hammock, because not only are you the owner of a beautiful hammock, with your purchase you are empowering the families of Muntigunung and providing them with a brighter, sustainable future.
