Ministry of Social Affairs Help Family with Intellectual Disability in Blitar

BLITAR (23 October 2023) – Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini visited Sasmiati (58th) house in Pagerwojo Village, Kesamben Sub-district, Blitar Regency. Her presence ensures that Samiati and her family receive the assistance they need.

Sasmiati's story attracted the Minister's attention. Sasmiati takes care of her three children with intellectual disabilities by herself at her improper house. With this condition, Sasmiati and her children live with the help of her neighbours.

News about Sasmiati in online media enters the Ministry of Social Affairs scanning news program. Then, the Minister directly instructed the Integration Center Prof. Dr. Soeharso in Surakarta to do a case response.

"So, I read the report about this family from the media. Thanks to media partners and social media for giving us this information," said the Minister in front of journalists at Samiati's house on Sunday (22/10).

One of the Minister's attention is the acceleration of house construction and the access to food assistance for disability programs from MoSA. Sasmiati's family has received aid to renovate her house from the Public Housing and Settlement Area Office Blitar Regency with a budget allocation of IDR 2 million.

"I ask them to finish this (house). It will be helped by Tagana (Disaster Response Volunteer), TKSK (District Social Welfare Worker), and PKH Companion. Actually, the material has already been budgeted, but I want to finish it as soon as possible," she said.

Meanwhile, Sasmiati's neighbour, who has been helping to care for her family, Dewi Rinda Rini (46), admitted that she was happy that Sasmiati could get direct attention from the Minister of Social Affairs. She was also invited to a dialogue by the Minister of Social Affairs so that later, Dewi and neighbours could ensure that Sasmiati's family received food assistance.

"Earlier, the Minister of Social Affairs asked the important thing not to be late for daily meals. If every day the food is guaranteed, at least the nutritional content is good," she said.

One of Sasmiati's children, Guruh Rahayu (28), was happy that the Minister of Social Affairs came to his house. It is not only that, Guruh also received aid in the form of a pair of goats. When we met him, he was feeding the goat given to him for seven days. "Thank you, Minister, for coming. I can't even say it because I'm embarrassed," he said.

As for the handling of Sasmiati and her family, the Ministry of Social Affairs has conducted psychological examinations at Wlingi Hospital, provided access to home repairs, and provided Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI). Sasmiati received additional nutritional assistance, clothing, sandals, mats, personal hygiene equipment, and cabinets.

Sasmiati's two children, who are still in SLB, are assisted in the form of school equipment, clothes, mats, personal hygiene equipment, and wardrobes. While her first child, Guruh, received entrepreneurial assistance in the form of goats.