TANIMBAR ISLAND (June 28, 2024) - It was afternoon rain. Still, the atmosphere was warm as students applauded the arrival of Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini at Gidel Sport, Olilit, South Tanimbar, Wednesday (26/6). The uniforms they wore looked colorful. Between one color and another is separated by a block of chairs that have been arranged in such a way as to form a color pattern, a sign that their school origin is different. Not without reason, the presence of Social Affairs Minister Risma was there to attend the activities of assisting educational and sports facilities to 110 students from various elementary, junior high, and high schools in the Tanimbar Islands.

“You may be far from Jakarta, far from Ambon, but you are given the same rights by God to succeed, right or not?” said Social Affairs Minister Risma to open a warm conversation that afternoon, followed by nodding gestures from the students.

The 110 students are children of recipients of the Family Hope Program (PKH) and the Basic Food Program, who will be assisted by Social Affairs Minister Risma. The assistance provided is in the form of 170 school uniform packages for elementary, junior high, and high school levels and 130 items of education packages. In addition, sports equipment packages consisting of volleyballs, soccer balls, table tennis, punching bags, boxing helmets, and boxing gloves were also given to students in Tanimbar Regency. The regency, which shares sea borders with Australia and Timor Leste, is about 315 nautical miles from Ambon or takes two days of sea travel across the Banda Sea, known for its ferocious waves.

In addition to assisting, Social Affairs Minister Risma also motivated them not to despair with the limitations that exist in Tanimbar. “I envy my friends in Jakarta who have in focus, computers, and sports equipment. Then I once thought whether I could be a child-like in Jakarta,” said one of the students present. They expressed their hearts to Social Affairs Minister Risma, saying they were jealous of the various facilities obtained by students in Jakarta and other places where access to the area was not as difficult as in their place in Tanimbar. “God is fair; God does not discriminate where we come from and who we are. Because God is the Most, so wherever we are, God must provide His help,” replied Social Minister Risma.

Risma emphasized that what is needed is hard work and the intention to move forward. Even though they are children of social assistance recipients from the Ministry of Social Affairs, they can succeed if they want to make a serious effort. “Success and success are not only the rights of rich people’s children; all of you can also be successful. It’s just that you want it or not,” continued Social Affairs Minister Risma, mentioning that success can be in terms of education and other achievements.

This visit is a series of social service activities in Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku. In addition to providing physical assistance, Social Minister Risma provides support through motivation. Risma’s efforts in motivating the children of the recipients of the Basic Food Program and PKH are intended so that the children can rise to bring change in their families so that they can get out of poverty