MoSA Quick Responses for Persons with Disabilities Affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic

Writer :

Humas Balai Melati Jakarta

Editor :

David

Translator :

Karlina Irsalyana

JAKARTA (July 27, 2021) – The Ministry of Social Affairs through Social Rehabilitation Center “Melat” in Jakarta responded quickly to information regarding Winar Septian Utomo, a 19-year-old person with multiple disabilities who lives with his family in the Rawa Buaya Village, Cengkareng, West Jakarta.

Previously, the Director of Social Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Social Affairs, gave directions to the Head of the Jakarta Melati Center to respond to the case of Winar, who experienced a crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The head of the Jakarta Melati Center, Romal Uli Jaya Sinaga, then assigned Bambang Sulistiyono, a Social Worker, to carry out a needs assessment for Winar and his family.

Monday (26/7/2021), Bambang coordinated with the Rawa Buaya Village and the West Jakarta Disability Assistant to get access and permission to conduct a needs assessment for Winar at his residence.

The Secretary of Rawa Buaya Village, Rizki Deni Ananda, confirmed that Winar is a resident and is a person with multiple disabilities who currently attends class XII of the Extraordinary High School (SMALB).

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic situation has caused Winar's family to experience a crisis in meeting their daily needs. Accompanied by a disability assistant for the West Jakarta area, Bambang headed to Winar's residence.

Dwi Handayatun, Dimar's mother received the arrival of officers who visited her house. To the officers, Dwi told Winar's condition and the difficulties her family is currently facing.

"Winar is our first child, sir. Since childhood, he could not hear and speak. In fact, when he was born his condition was normal. It's about a year old, he doesn't respond id he is called, there's a loud sound that he is not surprising. I took him to the hospital and it turned out to be hearing and mental disorders. As he grows older, Winar also develops differently from other children," said Dwi.

“My husband and I have the determination that even though life is difficult, our children cannot be difficult. We fought so that Winar and his sister could still go to school. However, during the pandemic, our lives are getting more and more difficult. My husband's income as a laborer is uncertain during the pandemic," continued Dwi, telling her family's sad story.

Winar and his family live in a small rented house on Jalan Bojong Pulo, Kelurahan Rawa Buaya, Cengkareng, West Jakarta. There are only 2 rooms in this small house.

The front room is insulated using a curtain so that it can be used as a bedroom. At the back, there is a kitchen and a small bathroom.

When the officers visited, Winar was mostly in bed. The items seemed to be put in an improvised manner because the room did not allow for better arranging of the existing items. Winar's family has been living in a rented house for almost 20 years because they don't have enough capital to own a private house.

Winar's mother does not regret her fate. She believes that God loves her by entrusting children with disabilities. She admitted that she learned a lot from the parents of Winar's friends who were also blessed with special children.

"God willing, it will be a reward for us. We can love our children sincerely. I'm afraid that if I'm not old enough to accompany the children, especially Winar, I really love him," said Dwi, Winar's mother, while wiping her tears.

The officers immediately reported the results of the case response to Winar and his family to the head of the Center Balai Melati Jakarta and decided to follow up on Winar's case by providing Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) service to reduce the crisis faced by Winar and his family.

Later, after graduating from SMALB, Winar was also recommended to get residential ATENSI services at Melati Center of Jakarta to maximize all his potential.

2021-07-27
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