Living Alone in Uninhabitable House, Granny Mirha Gets Help from the Ministry of Social Affairs

TANGERANG (September 21, 2021) – The Ministry of Social Affairs through Social Rehabilitation Center “Melati” Jakarta responded quickly to information about grandmother Mirha (75 years) who had been living in a bamboo hut for a long time and was living in an unsafe life in Kampung Jati, Selapajang Village, Cisoka District, Tangerang, Banten Province. Mirha's grandmother's story also went viral on online social media (www.tangerangnews.com) on 19 September 2021.

The Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, immediately gave directives for the office to respond quickly to this matter. For this reason, the Center carried out case responses and needs assessments for Mirha's grandmother so that the appropriate Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) service could be planned to overcome the crisis she was facing. The head of Melati Center, Romal Uli Jaya Sinaga, assigned social workers and social rehabilitation assistants to carry out a needs assessment.

Based on the results of the assessment, it is known that Mirha's grandmother's husband died 25 years ago. Mirha's grandmother had a child but died when she was 3 months old. Since her husband died, Mirha's grandmother chose to live in her hut alone. The condition of his house is getting worse. There were many holes in the roof and the floor was still covered with dirt. The more brittle wood may no longer be strong and endanger Mirha's grandmother who is alone in it.

Not far from Mirha's grandmother's house, lived her sister-in-law and nephew. Mirha's grandmother's family offered several times that she would no longer live in her hut, but Mirha's grandmother remained loyal there. She said that the house was the only legacy of her husband. Even though her husband has been gone for a long time, the lines of love are still visible when the grandmother tells her story.

"This is the only legacy from my father. Let me be here,” said Mirha's grandmother in the translated Sundanese.

The head of Selapajang Village said that there had been visits and follow-ups from Selapajang Village, the Cisoka Sub-district, and the Cisoka Sector Police to help Mirha's grandmother. The village has taken care of making Family Cards (KK), Identity Cards (KTP), and Healthy Indonesia Cards (KIS). The sub-district has also planned a house renovation program for Mirha's grandmother for 2022.