I found "Support a Local" on instagram and was immediately amazed by the contribution Corinna's work is doing to support people in need - especially during challenging times like these.
You are currently living on the Indonesian island Sulawesi – what made you move there?
I`ve been in love with Indonesia since many years. During my travels to different Indonesian islands in the past years, it just became clearer to me that I need to be there for a longer period of time and use my skills to help where help is needed most.
When working together with my local friends in Sulawesi in educational projects, I realized that small acts can have a very big impact on somebody’s live. This is where I wanted to do more and chose to leave Germany and go to Indonesia to do something sustainable.
What is “support a local” about? Why and how did you start with this project?
Support a Local is a Nonprofit Organization supporting families in Indonesia, especially in Sulawesi, in their biggest needs. Right now, our focus is in food, water and other necessities.
I started the project in the beginning of the Corona Pandemic last year in march. Talking with my Indonesian friends in different locations and seeing the conditions in Indonesia, I felt the urge to do something. I started telling my friends and family about it and collecting donations for food deliveries my friends would distribute in their home towns.
I experienced a big generosity and so Support a Local was born and grew more and more.
We focus on individuals and want to make a change in their lives.
Helping this one family whose father is alone with his 5 children, working as a motorbike taxi driver to get at least a little income after losing his job due to COVID-19. Or this Oma who didn`t have a proper meal in 2 weeks and burst into tears when we gave her a food package.
We want to help people with their most basic needs. We want to give hope. And we always get rewarded with the biggest smiles and deep thankfulness.
How is the situation on Sulawesi currently with covid and the recent earthquake? How are people responding to it?
The current COVID-19 situation is very different from how it is in Germany or Europe.
Besides rules of wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing in areas with many people, it`s not very present in the people`s daily life`s. Most of them are worried much more about dying from hunger than from a virus. So daily live here is almost normal.
Most of them are worried more about dying from hunger than from a virus.
The big earthquake in January in West Sulawesi was another big shock for the people who already suffered a lot from the COVID-19 situation. But what fascinates us a lot is they still carry a smile on their face and a faith, that even this they will overcome. We were also very touched by the fast response by our donors – with their help we could go immediately into the region and help with the most needed goods.
What do people who you support need the most?
As simple as this: Food and water.
With the Pandemic now lasting almost a complete year, we see many people still struggling a lot with job loss, only little income from alternative jobs and not being able to feed the whole family properly.
There is no social security system, so people depend on themselves.
There is no social security system like in Germany or Austria, so the people depend on themselves.
We support with food packages in poor regions to people most in need. Including rice, noodles, eggs and oil.
Another problem in the rural areas is water. Not enough money to buy drinking water or having problems accessing it, they get their water from wells and cook it for drinking, cooking and washing.
In a recent project with fishers we supported with a pump system to their homes and distribute water filters to provide save and clean drinking water.
How does a “typical day” in your life on Sulawesi look like?
There is actually never a typical day here in Sulawesi :D Indonesians are masters in living each day as it comes without making a lot of plans. I adjusted to this, even though it`s tough sometimes as Germans love making plans and stick to their schedule 😊
By visiting our different delivery areas and discussing about new projects, every day is different and brings something new.
How can we help you and “support a local”?
Every donation helps us. It doesn`t matter how much.
With 35€ we can already feed a whole family with one bag of rice for a whole month. A monthly donation of any amount helps us in better planning and supporting families even more.
It also helps to promote what we are doing to your friends and family so we can acquire more donors.
Thank you Dewi for this Interview and sharing it to your followers and customers. This helps already a lot – Terima kasih banyak 😊
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