Determinating to Change Fate, Recipients of Family Hope Program in Balangan Achieve Independent Prosperity Graduation

BALANGAN, SOUTH KALIMANTAN (December 15th 2019) - The Cross Border Social Solidarity (LBKS) activity which was part of the 2019 National Solidarity Day commemoration arrived in Balangan Regency, Sunday (15/12) morning.

The Governor of South Kalimantan, Sahbirin Noor, who arrived on a trail bike with the entire LBKS entourage entered the courtyard of the Balangan Regency Office. He was welcomed by the Regent of Balangan, Ansharuddin, Director of Social Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Social Affairs for the elderly, Andi Hanindito, Chairman of the HKSN, Bambang Muryadi, and all residents of Balangan Regency. The day before, the group departed from the starting point in Tabalong Regency. This activity is a collaboration of the Ministry of Social Affairs as the organizer of HKSN supported by the South Kalimantan Provincial Government, the Regency Government and the City Government which LBKS will pass through.

Among the hundreds of residents who attended, were Mrs. Mila (37), Mrs. Saidah (44), and Mrs. Anita (27). The three of them came to receive an award from the Ministry of Social Affairs for having left the Family Hope Program (PKH) or what is commonly called Graduasi Sejahtera Mandiri.

The Award Charter was handed over by the Minister of Social Affairs represented by the Director of Social Rehabilitation for the Elderly, Andi Hanindito, in a welcoming ceremony for the LBKS Team in Balangan Regency. Apart from the three of them, the Ministry of Social Affairs also gave awards to three outstanding children in Balangan Regency who were children of PKH recipient mothers. They were summoned to the middle of the field in the Regent's office along with recipients of various assistance, namely the Joint Business Group (KUBE), Unfit Home for Living (RTLH), Environmental Facilities (Sarling), Basic Food Assistance, Assistance for Disabilities, as well as a symbolic handover of a marriage book and a birth certificate for KPM PKH.

"I was determined to be able to sew in order to help the family economy," said Mila opening the conversation.

This woman who lives in Bungin Village, South Paringin District works as a tailor.

"Initially, I took sewing courses several times in different places. At that time, in 2014, everything was free because it was assisted by the district government and BLK (Vocational Training Center)," he said.

Long story short, Mila then ventured to accept stitches from her neighbors. Starting from receiving services for changing clothes, uniforms, and robes, he received a fee of Rp. 20 thousand.

"I almost gave up because many mothers complained that my stitches were not neat. There were also those who complained that it was short cut," said Mila.

Over time, Mila's sewing service business is increasingly recognized by the public. The peak of orders is usually when school children enter the new school year where parents usually sew school uniform fabrics.

"Alhamdulillah, now it's getting more crowded, income is gradually increasing. That is what makes me confident to resign from PKH," he said.

In one month, Mila can generate net income of Rp. 500 thousand to Rp. 700 thousand. The money is saved for the children's school needs and partly for kitchen needs. He learned about this financial management from the Family Capacity Building Meeting (P2K2) which is held once a month with the guidance of PKH Facilitators.

Through PKH Facilitator too, she got wider opportunities to take sewing courses for free.

One thing Mila has held firmly until now is that she doesn't want to be a burden to her customers. Therefore, every person who comes to sew clothes, he does not always set a price.

"Sometimes someone comes asking to sew clothes, but at the beginning they said the money was very limited. Yes, that's okay. I remember when it was hard, maybe this was the way I could help others," he said.

Besides Mila, there is also the story of Mrs. Anita Rahayu. He is a resident of Teluk Mesjid Village, Batumandi District.

This mother of one child only became a PKH KPM for one year then decided to leave PKH.

"I sold soup and satay. Initially, I only helped my parents, but after receiving PKH assistance, I set aside some for business capital," said Anita.

Everyday he sells in the market from 6 to 10 in the morning. To supplement her income, she also sells clothes, bags and household items online. Now, the sales turnover reaches Rp 3.5 million per month.

PKH is a program for providing conditional social assistance to underprivileged families who are designated as KPM PKH. As a conditional social assistance program, PKH opens access for poor families, especially pregnant women and children, to take advantage of the various health service facilities (faskes) and educational service facilities (fasdik) available around them. PKH benefits have also begun to be encouraged to cover people with disabilities and the elderly by maintaining the level of social welfare in accordance with the mandate of the constitution.

Through PKH, underprivileged families are encouraged to have access to and take advantage of basic social services for health, education, food and nutrition, care, and assistance, including access to various other social protection programs that are complementary programs on an ongoing basis. PKH is directed to become the epicenter and center of excellence for poverty alleviation that synergizes various national social protection and empowerment programs.

In the implementation of the 2019 LBKS, KPM PKH Graduasi Sejahtera Mandiri and Children with Achievement are always presented at every stage. Hundreds of KPM PKH were also presented to jointly participate in the activities and receive various government assistance.

The LBKS Lintas Banua Expedition Team moved through six stages in a relay starting on December 14 to December 19 2019 with the route of Tabalong Regency, Balangan Regency, Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, Tapin Regency, Banjar Regency, and ended in Banjarmasin City.

The Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara said that the presence of KPM PKH, which has left the membership because it is independent, will be an inspiration for other PKH KPMs. The Ministry of Social Affairs, he continued, also continues to strive for PKH social assistance recipients to become empowered and independent through various social empowerment programs.

"The provision of social assistance is not directed at just meeting basic needs, but also at strengthening the empowerment and social resilience of the community in facing various shocks, the impact of natural disasters, and so on," said the Minister of Social Affairs.