Joining Training at a Center Owned by MoSA, SAD Woman Wants to Achieve a Better Future

Born on March 10, 2001, she had the opportunity to undergo training at the "Budi Perkasa" center in Palembang. Two of the SAD women traveled from their village in Simerantian Village, Suosuo Village, Sumai Sub-district, Tebo District, Jambi Province. Five more SAD people from other areas, making a total of seven SAD people who left for Palembang.

In July 2022, the seven SAD residents underwent training at the "Budi Perkasa" Center in Palembang. "For 6 months we underwent sewing training. We were first taught to sew with paper. After we could do it, we learned to sew with real fabric," said Mila.

She and the other SAD children have a routine at the center. In the morning after breakfast, they and other beneficiaries receive mental guidance. The beneficiaries are given motivation and encouragement.

"I start the training session at 09.00 until 12.00. After that, I also help out at SKA," she said.

The "Budi Perkasa" center in Palembang has also developed the Sentra Kreasi Atensi (SKA), a café selling drinks and snacks. Mila is already skilled at providing egg noodles or helping to prepare coffee, tea and other drinks.

"Apart from helping prepare snacks and drinks, I also help serve and record payment transactions at the cashier's desk," said the eldest of six children.

Mila still stays at the "Budi Perkasa" center in Palembang, even though her colleagues from the SAD have returned to their hometowns. "Mila says she still feels at home here and wants to receive further guidance. She wants to go back to school. We are ready to help," said the center’s head Wahyu Dewanto.

Mila admits that she has gained many positive things while at the center. Obviously, she is now skilled at sewing shirts and kebayas. Beyond that, she felt warmth, friendliness and good cooperation, from the center's head and staff, as well as the assistants during the guidance and training.

"While undergoing coaching at the Center, I felt energized and more active in improving myself. I hope that more of my friends from SAD will get the opportunity like me," she said.

Mila is the eldest of six children. In the village, Mila and her siblings help Suryati (40) - her mother, tap rubber sap. Since her husband Jaini (Mila's father) died, Suryati has been struggling to support her children.

Harvesting once a week, the family gets 60 kg of rubber sap for Rp15,000/kg. Mila's younger siblings only graduated from junior high school and others were married young.

"I want to move forward and encourage my siblings to achieve a better future," she said.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs