By: Happy Octa Famelia, PPSW Jakarta
In Cengklong Village, Kosambi District, Ibu Erpih's days used to go by almost unchanged. Mornings began with sweeping and cooking, afternoons were spent washing and tidying the house, and evenings returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner. She believed in one thing that had always been taken for granted: a woman's duty was to take care of the home and family.
The family's finances were barely making ends meet. Two of her children were married and living separately, while one was still in school and living with her. When her husband retired, the burden of household needs gradually shifted to her. However, at that time, Mrs. Erpih didn't yet see herself as a breadwinner. She was simply a housewife with a knack for making traditional cakes.
Initially, he tried selling his homemade cakes to neighbors. Orders came in slowly. He ran the business for four years with a simple rhythm: small production, limited market, and slim profits. He then tried expanding his business to include salted eggs. This decision resulted in losses. The eggs he produced didn't last long, and some rotted before they were sold. The capital he had accumulated was gradually nearly depleted.
That failure didn't deter her. A bigger change occurred when a member of the Eternal Red Lantern Cooperative invited her to join, a savings and loan cooperative that serves as a women's economic platform. Initially, she was hesitant. She had never worked with a cooperative before and didn't understand its benefits. However, an explanation of basic savings, voluntary savings, and access to loans opened up a new perspective: there was room for women to develop collaborative businesses.
Besides savings and loans, he received extensive training and capacity building. He learned about marketing and product packaging, and how to learn better processing techniques—how to select quality eggs, regulate salt levels, and ensure product shelf life. He learned this through self-study, asking fellow entrepreneurs and experimenting repeatedly until he found the right method. Gradually, the quality of his eggs improved.
He registered as a member by paying a principal deposit of Rp 50,000 in installments. While this might seem like a small amount to some, it was a bold decision for him—setting aside money in the face of pressing needs. Through the cooperative, he gained access to capital to expand production. The loan not only provided additional raw materials but also boosted his confidence.
"The cooperative has really helped me with business capital and daily needs at home," he said.
Since then, her business has begun to show real growth. Orders for salted eggs have reached 100 eggs per production period. Cooperative members have become regular customers and her initial marketing network. She has also begun utilizing social media to reach a wider audience. From her home kitchen, her products reach consumers beyond her circle of friends. The resulting income helps pay for her children's school fees and supports the household when her husband is no longer working.
Ibu Erpih's perspective on herself also shifted. She no longer saw herself as merely a supplement to the family's finances. She began to participate in household financial decisions. She ventured out of the house to attend cooperative meetings. She had a space to share experiences with other women facing similar challenges.
"I never thought I'd be a successful salted egg and cake seller," she said. "I wanted to help support my children's needs. I also didn't want to just sit at home."
The cooperative became more than just a place to borrow money. It became a collective learning space, where women could strengthen each other and share business strategies. From there, Ibu Erpih understood that economic independence doesn't mean abandoning family roles, but rather expanding them—from managing the kitchen to managing a business, from making decisions to helping shape the direction of one's life.
Today, Ibu Erpih stands as a micro-entrepreneur who not only supports her household economy but also proves that access to inclusive financial institutions can pave the way for a deeper transformation: a transformation in how women view themselves and their role in society.
