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Aceh Community

Aceh is a special territory (daerah istimewa) of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. The Aceh region has a strategic position as the gate of trading and cultural traffic, which has been connecting East and West for many centuries. It is known as a transit place for Chinese, European, Indian and Arab merchants. This relationship made the Aceh region the first entrance of culture and religion into the Southeast Asian archipelago.

After the tsunami struck Aceh in 2004, a community of people there decided it's time to try to look ahead. The community is comprised mostly of women who were widowed by the tsunami or those whose husbands have lost their livelihood due to the huge tidal wave. In the group they receive training in sewing and embroidery. They learn about Aceh traditional designs and develop new designs as well. Mostly they produce handbags, beauty cases and wallets.