Balai "Mulya Jaya" is Present to Provide Psychosocial Support Services

JAKARTA (May 5th, 2020) – The Social Welfare Services Recipient (PPKS) who are neglected in the DKI Jakarta area are a vulnerable group that must be given special attention, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta, through the Social Service Office, provides Temporary Shelters (TPS) services for PPKS in several sports centers such as Ciracas Sports Center, Karet Tengsin Sports Center, and Pasar Minggu Sports Center to reduce the risk spreading COVID-19.

During their stay in TPS, PPKS are provided with shelter, meals, and health checks. However, other supporting activities, such as entertainment and simply sharing stories with the people around them, have not been properly facilitated, so it is feared that they will be bored every day.

Today, the Jakarta “Mulya Jaya” Center, which is the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) of the Ministry of Social Affairs responded to these conditions to participate in providing services needed by PPKS. Social Workers and Social Counselors who were dispatched this morning assisted activities that began with introductions, and then light sports activities such as stretching and warming up, as well as several PPKS who shared stories with Social Workers about their experiences at this TPS.

“I’ve been here for almost a week, ma’am. If I want to go home, I am far from my family. I am originally from Tasikmalaya. I want to go home but I have no money, like it or not I have to be brought here by officers,” said one PPKS who was sitting on her velbed.

“Well, what can I do, ma’am. My life is already difficult. If I don’t work, I live on the street, and I can’t afford to eat. I don’t have anything else,” she added.

Sharing stories with people around us may be a common thing, but it is actually very important and must be done to overcome someone’s feelings of sadness, confusion, and anxiety.

The activity which was also attended by the Head of the Social Assessment and Advocacy Section, Agung Santoso, said that this was an effort by the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Jakarta “Mulya Jaya” Center to participate in handling neglected PPKS in the Jabodetabek area.

“This service is a tangible form of us being able to flexibly provide services needed by PPKS. I think health-oriented activities have been carried out and prepared here. However, we are more focused on the psychological aspects of PPKS. Today is our first day conducting Psychosocial Support Service, we will schedule it twice a week,” said Agung, who was met at the Ciracas Sports Center.

Jakarta “Mulya Jaya” Center previously also provided TPS services for PPKS who desperately needed advanced services in the center from April 30th, 2020 to the next three months. Through this activity, it is hoped that it can help PPKS in reducing feelings of boredom and sadness while at the TPS.