Quick Response to SS Case, a Langkat Resident Who Sleeps Under the Sky

MEDAN (August 25, 2021) – Social Rehabilitation Center “Bahagia” Medan responded to the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini regarding poor residents in Hamlet VII, Besilam Village, Padang Tualang District, Langkat Regency who needed quick treatment.

The Social Worker contacted Putra as the Head of the Social Rehabilitation Section of the Langkat Regency Social Service as initial coordination to visit SS. However, a representative from the Social Service was unable to attend due to illness. The Social Worker together with Ramlan as the Sub-District Head of Padang Tualang and Akhyar, TKSK Padang Tualang Sub-district then went to SS's house.

Based on the assessment conducted by Social Workers, SS is a housewife who was abandoned by her husband in November 2020 due to family problems. SS works odd jobs as a laundress and sometimes collects palm kernels with an income of IDR 2,200/Kg. SS's daily needs are helped by her in-laws and her ex-husband's brother, who is a neighbor of SS. They often provide vegetables or side dishes for SS to eat.

It is known that SS has 6 children, the first child is 23 years old and married and the second and third children are 20 and 18 years old and work odd jobs to help SS earn a living. The fourth child is 14 years old and attends SMP Tamsis grade 2. The fifth child, aged 8, attends Tamsis Elementary School grade 4. Her sixth child is 6 years old in 1st grade.

"If I am stupid, but not with my children. They must be educated and smarter than me," said SS.

Their children should have gone to face-to-face school, but they are embarrassed to go to school because they don't have a uniform. In addition, during online school, his son shared his brother's cell phone with each other. This sometimes makes it difficult for them to study because their brother often carries a cell phone when working, which prevents the children from learning.

Based on interviews with SS, he has received government assistance in the form of BST, e-warong, PKH, and has been registered with DTKS.

As an initial intervention, the Rapid Response Team provided food packages and plans to provide ATENSI for fulfilling a decent life in the form of additional nutrition, school supplies for SS children who attend school.