A Red Cross cash grant programme is bearing fruit in Indonesia, enabling families who lost everything in the tsunami to rebuild their livelihoods.

The programme, which is run by the Indonesian Red Cross and British Red Cross, aims to help 7,000 families provide for themselves financially.

 One determined entrepreneur, Abdan, is showing that hard work can make money grow.

Twenty-four year-old Abdan lost everything when the tsunami struck the islands of Pulo Aceh. Many of his loved-ones, including his parents, died.

New beginnings

After the tsunami the Red Cross gave Abdan a new house, but it also gave him the opportunity to rebuild his livelihood through the cash grant programme.

When he received his first grant in October 2005, he knew exactly what he wanted to do with it. He bought a motorbike so he could start a transportation business.

He soon realised that his business was not growing, so he sold his motorbike and used the money to start a new enterprise. He began supplying fuel in his village, Gugop. His business started to take off, and it was not long before he was able to hire some local people to work with him.

Success

Abdan's venture became even bigger when a housing contractor hired him to provide fuel for its vehicles and machines while it rebuilt houses destroyed by the tsunami.

As the main fuel supplier on the island, Abdan now receives large cheques instead of small amounts of cash. He has been able to buy a new pick-up truck for his business so he can deliver fuel more easily. He also runs a car-hire.

Thanks to Abdan's initiative and determination, and with support from the Red Cross, Abdan's business has grown tremendously. His success has also affected his personal life-he is able to support his two siblings while they are in school, and he plans to get married later this year.

Read more about our tsunami recovery work.