It's Only Been a Year Since Received PKH Social Assistance, Yati Sumiyati Chooses to Resign

CIANJUR (August 5, 2020) - Dressed in long red, equipped with a hijab of the same color, Yati Sumiyati (52) showed a happy face while holding a certificate of appreciation. Even though she was covered by a mask, the wrinkles in her eyelids could still show that she was smiling broadly.

The woman with a height of about 155 cm is one of several Beneficiary Families (KPM) of the Family Hope Program (PKH) from Cianjur Regency who declared themselves out of PKH participation because they were economically independent.

The award was handed over directly by the Director General of Social Protection and Security, Pepen Nazaruddin, together with the Director of Family Social Security (JSK), Rachmat Koesnadi, at the Technical Coordination Meeting and Quality Improvement of PKH HR in Cianjur Regency, Wednesday (5/8).

Yati recounted that the first time she received PKH social assistance was in 2019 for five components. She uses the social assistance to meet the needs of her children who are still in school.

"With this PKH, I can (meet the needs) for the children. I'm also trying to raise capital for an independent business," she said.

Since becoming a recipient of the PKH social assistance, Yati said, in the first three months, she immediately thought of starting a business of making shredded meat. The first time, she didn't produce much. "A kilo, two kilos, I took it little by little. Thank God, it worked," said Yati.

Yati produces shredded with various specific gravity. Through her green fingers, her production has now been widely marketed even outside the Cianjur Regency. Now, she admits that she is relieved to be independent after graduating from PKH this year.

"In this half year, I have employed four employees. So, if you continue to receive assistance, i feel so ashamed," she said, blushing.

The motivation for graduation is simple. Yati saw that there were still many people who needed it more than her. In addition, according to her, the graduation step she took could be a form of motivation for other KPM PKH.

"Hopefully by seeing me succeed, they are also motivated like me, trying to get out of their comfort zone."

On the occasion present also PKH Facilitators throughout Cianjur Regency, Pepen appreciated the PKH KPM from Cianjur Regency for their independent graduation decision.

"She consciously stated that she had left PKH because she had experienced an increase in welfare and socio-economic conditions, she needed to be appreciated," said the bespectacled man.

In 2020, the Ministry of Social Affairs targets a graduation of 10 percent of the total number of 10 million KPM nationally or equivalent to 1 million KPM. According to Pepen, this target can be realized if the PKH Facilitators work together to find a way to graduate from the KPM they assist.

Furthermore, the challenges of PKH, he said, would be even more difficult because the large number of KPMs was not directly proportional to the desire for independent graduation.

"For this reason, PKH assistants should not sit idly by. They must think more about how to independently graduate KPM, because their main task is to graduate KPM," Pepen appealed.

As a long-term step, Pepen advised PKH facilitators to have a clear work plan related to KPM graduation. He asked that the target be adjusted to the total number of KPM in the area.

"I hope that every assistant has prepared a work plan from now on for the graduation target. For example, from 540 KPM, calculate how much 10% of that number is. I am optimistic that Cianjur companions can do it," he concluded while encouraging optimism for PKH HR.