Decorative Flowers Deliver KPM PKH Self-Graduation

BATU (12 May 2021) - Siti Muthmainah, one of the Beneficiary Families (KPM) from Batu City, Malang, East Java, resigned from participating in the Family Hope Program (PKH) after being economically independent and no longer dependent on social assistance PKH in meeting their daily needs.

In pursuit of entrepreneurial practice by running an independent business selling decorative flowers since seven years ago (read: 2014), the Muthmainah family's economy has gradually increased.

"Thank God, through my flower selling business, now the family can afford it," said Siti when visited by PKH Batu City Facilitator, Moch. Ferry Cahyono.

Ferry said one of the educational roles given by PKH Facilitators is by carrying out the Family Development Session (FDS) every month.

In each meeting, KPM is given knowledge material through various modules including Education and Child Care at Home, Child Protection, Health and Nutrition, Economics and Business Planning, and Social Welfare, which are provided on an ongoing basis.

"This is what we provide to KPM that changes in mindset and behavior can be planned so that they do not just receive social assistance, but there is guidance, empowerment, counseling, complaints of problems and the like," explained Ferry.

According to Ferry, the key to the success of this graduation cannot be separated from the synergy effort between PKH Facilitators and local village officials. "This support is very important because it is their citizens who will graduate," he added.

Siti Muthmainah sells various types of flowers, from Walisongo, Tree Color, Hanging Flowers, Janda Bolong, Monstera, Taro, to Aglaonema, and other ornamental flowers in a stall that she rents not far from where she lives.

She said that the flower business, which was later given the name "Dahlia Florist", was started with the will and the desire to change for the better with her husband. The mother of two started selling flowers in 2014 on a limited scale.

"Actually, there were still obstacles at that time, for example, limited capital or even fluctuating sales turnover," said Siti, who officially graduated independently some time ago.