Social Affairs Minister Risma Helps Repair Uninhabitable House of Persons with Disabilities

PAMEKASAN (May 12, 2024) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini watched the condition of the uninhabitable house occupied by the family of Muhammad Ikhwan (47) in Murtajih Village, Pademawu District, Pamekasan Regency, East Java, Sunday (12/5). Muhammad Ikhwan, who works as a scavenger, lives with his wife, child, and eight-year-old nephew who has mental and physical disabilities.

Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini, who visited Ikhwan's house on Sunday (12/5), asked Tagana (Disaster Responses Volunteer) to renovate the house occupied by Ikhwan's family immediately. "In the next 10 days I will come here again to check on the progress," said Social Affairs Minister Risma about the house occupied by Ikhwan's family. As a scavenger, Ikhwan's income is uncertain, so it would be not easy to repair the house.  It must cost a lot of money to repair it. The house, which only has one room, has many holes in the walls and roof and the back wall is about to collapse. There is only one thin mattress that is not fit for use.

To support the family's economy, his wife Ummi Kalsum (45) used to work as a housemaid. However, because she had to take care of her sick parents and take care of her niece Nadira Ayubiya (8) who has mental and physical disabilities, Ummi Kalsum was forced to stop working.

"I only rely on scavenging for food," said Muhammad Ikhwan. In fact, in addition to his minimum income, Ikhwan also has to pay for the school of his 15-year-old daughter who is now in the eighth grade of junior high school, and to support his wife and nephew.

Knowing the condition of Muhammad Ikhwan's family, Social Affairs Minister Risma requested that Ummi Kalsum routinely provide medicine for her nephew. Risma also invited Ummi Kalsum to take part in training at the Center which will be very useful for entrepreneurship in supporting the family economy.

Meanwhile, during the handling process, the Ministry of Social Affairs has provided various assistance, such as Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT), and included the Ikhwan family in the Family Hope Program (PKH).

For Nadira, who has a disability, the Ministry of Social Affairs has brought her an adaptive wheelchair, pampers, vitamins, milk, and daily food as well as physiotherapy treatment. For Ikhwan's daughter who attends junior high school, shoes, socks, school supplies, daily clothes, stationery, and prayer equipment have been provided. To support the economy of Ikhwan's family, the Ministry of Social Affairs will assist for Ummi Kalsum in selling meatballs.