"Follow Me, if You Want to be Smart and Chase Your Dream as Engineer"

Writer :

Koesworo Setiawan

Translator :

Karlina Irsalyana

JAKARTA (July 16, 2021) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini distributed masks to the public along Jalan Matraman Raya, Jakarta. On the way to distributing masks, the Minister met scavengers and asked them to be willing to get services.

Recipients of masks are people who happen to be along the sidewalk. They are motorbike taxi and bajaj drivers, parking attendants, office security units, and so on.

On the way to distributing masks, Social Minister Risma found two families of scavengers resting under a pedestrian bridge in front of the Wisma Kemhan. The Minister invited them to Pangudi Luhur Center Bekasi to get services.

"Follow me. I'll give you a job later. Then you will get a more regular income. The children will come along. So they can go to school. There they will have many friends as well," said the Minister to Sofyan, a scavenger from Subang whom she met (16/07).

At first, Sofyan still seemed doubtful about the Social Minister's offer. He looked at his wife and discussed it. "Do you want it?" asked Risma.

"How's the cart, ma'am. Can I take it?" said Sofyan, a father of one.

"Just bring it. It's okay. I can also buy it. How much does it cost? Calculate it," the Minister added. She then met Sofyan's son.

"Do you want to come with me? Later you can go to school. So that you can become an engineer, do you want to be president? You have to go to school to be smart," said Mrs. Risma.

A similar offer was made to Ahmad Jaenudin, a fellow scavenger Sofyan who happened to be in the same place. The Minister, also initially asked the same question as Sofyan.

But finally, Jaenudin accepted the offer. The 68-year-old man from Majalengka admitted that he was interested in the Social Minister's offer. Jaenudin is sure that he will get a better life under the guidance of MoSA.

"Yes, I want to join. The hope is that I can get a better life," he said.

On the same day, they were delivered by MoSA's Outreach Team to Pangudi Luhur Center in Bekasi. Here, Sofyan and his family and Jaenudin will receive services, by first conducting an assessment and undergoing the Covid-19 prevention health protocol.

The presence of Sofyan and Jaenudin adds to the long list of scavengers and marginalized groups who receive services at ATENSI Creation Center (SKA) of MoSA. Before them, dozens of underprivileged communities had received social guidance, vocational training, and entrepreneurship coaching. Here, they are also given assistance and reinforcement for entrepreneurial activities through cafes, galleries, catfish farming, hydroponic plants, laundry and also selling in grocery stores.

MoSA is aware of the magnitude of the challenges facing the current situation which is facing the Covid-19 Pandemic which has been going on for more than a year and it is not certain when it will end.

One of the impacts of the pandemic is that many people have lost their homes and income. With SKA, it is hoped that the underprivileged and marginalized people will gain entrepreneurial skills so that they can be socially and economically independent.

2021-07-16
Visits : 1588