Author: Estradivari (WWF-Indonesia)

I have traveled to several remote places in Indonesia and found one thing in common when it comes to basic needs. Shops, or warung, are very rare in most remote places. If there are any, they are usually owned by people from the upper middle class and sell everything that the villagers need, like cramming a wide variety of goods into one shop.

Kisar Island, our second stop, was once the capital of Southwest Maluku Regency before it was moved to Tiakur on Moa Island in 2012. Compared to the other islands in Southwest Maluku, Kisar Island has the most complete facilities and infrastructure, including a main harbor for ferries from other provinces, a telephone signal transmitting tower, and even an airstrip. Various types of shops are also found in almost every corner of the island.

Today (4/11), I accompanied the Land Team to explore Kisar Island and found a photocopy shop in front of the fish market called "Jenisya Art Center". When I entered the shop, like any other copy shop, I found two photocopiers, a stack of paper boxes, various office stationery, and a freezer full of cold drinks. It didn't seem all that special to those of us from the big cities.

I walked out of the store to get some fresh air because I was tired of waiting for documents to be photocopied. This time I realized that the shop was not just a photocopying place, but also sold many other things. I saw a promotional paper posted at the front of the shop. Apart from being a photocopy shop and providing office stationery, this shop also sold phone credit, electricity vouchers, stamps, paintings, plumbing repair services, motorcycle and car washing services, ice cubes, gasoline, and more surprisingly, tombstones!

The lady who took care of my photocopied documents confirmed all these services and items that they provided. They would even "add" other services/goods, if needed, to meet the needs of the people of Kisar Island. Although I could find many shops for different needs on Kisar Island, Jenisya Art Center has caught my attention with the variety of goods and services they offer.