4 Beneficaries Family of Family Hope Program Choosing Graduation Amid COVID-19, Receiving Appreciation from Various Parties

NORTH SUMATERA (June 4, 2020) - Four Beneficiary Families (KPM) of Family Hope Program (PKH) in Gunungsitoli City decided to leave PKH or Independent Graduation membership. The fourth decision was taken in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They are KPM from Siwalubanua I Idanoi Village, namely Yusniar Telaumbanua (35) and Cermat Linda Gea (32), as well as KPM from Tuhegeo II Idanoi Village, namely Gea (37) and Vitria Junianti (37).

Yusniar Telaumbanua, representing KPM Graduasi Mandiri, said that they asked to leave PKH with full self-awareness because they felt they were no longer worthy of receiving PKH assistance.

"The economic condition of our family has changed, we are already able, both in terms of income and the physical condition of the house," said Yusniar, explaining the reasons for graduation.

He said there were still many people who needed PKH assistance more than he did. "So far, PKH has really helped ease the burden on the family, thank you very much PKH," he added.

The request for Mandiri Graduation was responded positively by the Gunungsitoli City Government. For this decision, the PKH City Coordinator for Gunungsitoli City, Meiman Larosa, expressed his appreciation to KPM who asked for Independent Graduation.

"We appreciate KPM who voluntarily asked for Independent Graduation, this is also a concrete manifestation of success in getting out of poverty," said Meiman.

According to him, in the current condition, many residents actually need help. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, many underprivileged people have lost their jobs so they really need supplies of social assistance," he explained again.

When met separately, the Head of Siwalubanua I Village, Walterrius Warisman Zebua, also expressed his gratitude to PKH for being very helpful for its residents.

"On behalf of the residents, I would like to express my gratitude because so far PKH has been very helpful to the people of Siwalubanua I Village. Hopefully PKH will continue to develop," he said while expressing his hopes.

The residents of Siwalubanua I Village, he said, live from the agricultural, livestock and fishing sectors so that most of the villagers are still very worthy of social assistance.

The Head of Social Protection and Security (Linjamsos) of Gunungsitoli City Social Service, David Hulu, also expressed a similar sentiment. According to him, this is a concrete manifestation of PKH's success in empowering people to move out of the poverty line.

"In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, PKH is actually able to make the beneficiaries aware. Cool, Graduasi Mandiri in the middle of a flood of aid. PKH Great! " he concluded.

As a form of appreciation for the decision to graduate the four KPMs, ceremonial events were held in two different places, namely the Siwalubanua I Village Hall on Tuesday (26/5) and the Tuhegeo II Village Hall on Wednesday (27/5). The event was attended by local village officials and representatives from the PKH Secretariat of Gunungsitoli City.