Melvia, a Dedicated PKH Companion Serving Amidst Disasters in Pesisir Selatan

PESISIR SELATAN REGENCY (14 March 2024) – Flooding and mud swept through the house of Melvia Viawitri, a PKH companion in Batang Kapas District, Pesisir Selatan, on Thursday (7 March). It was 11.00 p.m. when the water started inundating her home, damaging nearly all the furniture.

Melvia and her husband immediately evacuated their two little children and her elderly parents, who were living with them. The water, reaching waist-deep on an adult, forced them to seek higher ground for one night. By the afternoon, they returned to clean the mud out of their house.

Despite the disaster that struck her family, Melvia, who is also a social pillar, remained mindful of the community's condition around her. Melvia soon got back on her feet and resumed her role as a social pillar by helping in the public kitchen in Batang Kapas District, starting on Wednesday (13 March).

"I just started my duties yesterday on March 13. If there is something we can do, we help, like cooking rice, washing vegetables, and packing food," Melvia explained.

Melvia, despite her anxiety for her family, took her position as a PKH companion seriously. She believed that PKH companions are the front line who must be able to prioritize tasks.

"We are social pillars and the front line. Whatever situation we have, as long as we can leave it behind temporarily, we will help the community. We must be able to distinguish between family and what should come first," Melvia genuinely stated.

Amid the disaster, Melvia remained grateful that the damage she sustained was less serious than that of many other inhabitants, and that her family was safe. She continuously encouraged affected residents not to complain but to rise and recover.

"There are people in worse situations than ourselves. So do not complain. These are all challenges and calamities. Let us rise again and not be downhearted, rebuild as before," concluded Melvia.