PENA Workshop: MoSA Encourage to Build the Second Engine of the Household Economy

SURABAYA (January 14, 2024) - The Ministry of Social Affairs seeks to strengthen entrepreneurship by holding a Pahlawan Ekonomi Nusantara (PENA) workshop at Kaza Mall Surabaya, on Saturday (13/01). The activity carries the theme Strengthening Training of PENA Graduation KPM and PENA Social Assistance Capacity Building Training. The activity was attended by 292 participants consisting of beneficiaries and social assistance assistants.

The training which took place from 10.00 - 15.00 WIB was attended by 62 PENA families’ beneficiaries (KPM) of Surabaya, 70 KPM PENA Sidoarjo, 66 PKH HR Surabaya, 45 PKH HR Sidoarjo, 31 TKSK Surabaya and 18 TKSK Sidoarjo.

Acting Director General of Social Empowerment Beni Sujanto said that various activities could be followed in this workshop. Participants can choose one of the classes including workshops on making Cromboloni, digital marketing, financial literacy, MSME research, videography, branding, and packaging consultations, workshops on making modified sandals, and workshops on making keychain embroidery.

Wiwit Manfaati (56), an embroidery instructor in the workshop class, said that empowering beneficiaries is important, one of which is to increase family income. 

"The Minister once said that the main target of PENA is to create a second machine in the household, especially mothers, to get income apart from their husbands," said Wiwit.

In the class, which was guided directly by the Witrove business owner, participants learned to embroider and make key chains by utilizing textile waste.

In addition to production skills, PENA workshop participants are invited to gain communication and marketing skills, build social networks, and manage communities to share experiences and open market opportunities.

Wiwit hopes that the workshop organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs can tap the potential of the beneficiaries and open up collaboration space to introduce their businesses.

Wiwit, who successfully exhibited her products in China, the Netherlands, South Korea, and London, shared some tips for beneficiaries in running a business.

"Finding the right buyer is difficult. But if you don't start now, when will you find them? The point is to be diligent and willing to share knowledge with others," Wiwit concluded.