A Vulnerable Family in Surabaya Receives Business Assistance after Running into Social Affairs Minister

SURABAYA (26 April 2023) – The wait is over. Holifah (65), had been waiting impatiently for officers from the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) to arrive with aid. Her curiosity was satisfied when she noticed a new bicycle, still wrapped in plastic, being led to the front door of her house.

Holifah is elated to receive the bicycle. The reason is, her old bicycle she bought three years ago is broken. "It's broken and can't be used for wholesale at Asem Market. Now there's a new one," she stated recently when we met at her home in Tambak Mayor, Asem Rowo District, Surabaya City, East Java.

Other than a bicycle, Holifah also received assistance with various household equipment and furniture as well as necessities. She also received additional business capital for her two daughters’ businesses. Two weeks earlier, her twin daughters, Rohana and Rohani (31) had received entrepreneurship assistance.

The joy of the three began when one of Holifah's daughters, Rohana, ran into the Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini while walking around Tunjungan Plaza Street, Surabaya City on 14 March 2023. Rohana and Rohani did not expect their meeting to be a new beginning for their lives. Rohana's physical disability attracted the attention of the Minister so she immediately directed the Soeharso Solo Integrated Center (STS) and the Directorate of Elderly Rehabilitation of MoSA to provide treatment.

The Head of STS Rachmat Koesnadi said the results of the assessment showed that the two of them often begged on the street to meet their daily needs. Not only Rohana and Rohani, but their mother, Holifah, also did the same thing.

“They were immediately assessed on the same day. It turned out that every day they often beg on the street. Rohana indeed has a physical disability. But her sister and mother don't. Even the three of them can still carry out their daily activities independently," Rachmat said when contacted by telephone on Friday (24/3).

Rohana has suffered from cerebral palsy since she was born. It makes several parts of her body stiff. She experienced Pes Equinus, a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle joint is limited. Her right palm, knee and left foot are also stiff. Meanwhile, Rohani has a mild intellectual disability. Despite this, both of them are still able to carry out daily activities well without mobility aids.

Both of them live in a semi-permanent house measuring 30 m2 with their mother and one younger sibling. The house consists of three bedrooms, a kitchen and a toilet. The house belongs to Holifah and has been submitted for the rehabilitation of the uninhabitable house (Rutilahu) program.

Rohana's older sister is already working and often sends money to their mother. Meanwhile, her youngest sibling is currently studying at a Vocational High School.

Apart from the assessment, MoSA together with Surabaya City Social Office and the Village Head of Asem Rowo also provided education and motivation so that both of them would stop being beggars and look for decent work. "Both of them have been offered to accept social and vocational rehabilitation programs at STS but are not yet ready," Rachmat added.

Rohana and Rohani want to sell necessities at home. Their dream is no longer begging on the streets if they have their own business.

"We have provided them with business capital assistance in the form of selling grocery stalls. There are various kinds such as rice, personal hygiene tools, and others. We also provide carts as requested," said Rachmat.

Other than Holifah, Rohana and Rohani, MoSA also provided further intervention by providing business capital assistance to Rohana's older sister, Nur Aidah (39). Nur has a mild intellectual disability, but can still work as a household assistant. Nur was assisted in the form of a cart, ice and hot water flasks, teapots, as well as other equipment and materials for selling drinks.

Furthermore, MoSA together with Asem Rowo Village officials will continue to monitor changes in the habits of Rohana, Rohani and Holifah as beggars on the street. The development of business capital assistance and the implementation of Rutilahu will also continue to be monitored. The Soeharso Solo Integrated Center and the Surabaya City Social Office are also preparing rehabilitation and vocational training for Rohana and Rohani.