Social Entrepreneurship Program (ProKUS) Awakens the Economic Independence of Poor Families in the Middle of a Pandemic

Writer :

Ahmad Ramadhan

Translator :

Karlina Irsalyana

CILILIN (9 February 2021) - Social Entrepreneurship program (ProKUS) is one of the Ministry of Social Affairs(MoSA) program in Cililin, West Bandung Regency. Alif Riyawan together with other million people as the recipients of social assistance for the Family Hope Program (PKH). Through the pioneering of the pulled tea business, Alif is now more optimistic about his future.

The pulled tea business with the Ray Raka brand is currently expanding, in line with the strong commitment of assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Social Entrepreneurship Program (ProKUS), especially for PKH Beneficiary Families (KPM) who have business start-ups like Alif. ProKUS not only provides funds, but also guidance for the mentors, according to the KPM’s kind of business.

"Previously, my family's economy was down. In 2020, there was a ProKUS from MoSA with the assistance of Rp 3.5 million. From there, I developed my business from the production side," he said, in Cililin District, West Bandung Regency.

For information, ProKUs is a continuous program of the Family Hope Program (PKH), to independently train KPMs with their business potential, so that their businesses can develop even more.

"There are many lessons that I have learned from mentors, such as how to make products that are safe for health, to good and optimal marketing strategies," said Alif.

Apart from the beverage business owned by Alif, ProKUS is also used by Ade Wewen's tempeh production business, wherein a day of production, it can reach thousands of tempeh molds.

Ade said, during a pandemic like this time, the price of soybeans he needed for tempeh production rose. However, with ProKUS, the funds can be used for additional capital, so that the turnover will also increase.

ProKUS not only helps a kind of business but also various businesses, such as the convection business with the Annur brand owned by Nenah. Thanks to ProKUS, Nenah was able to optimize her convex business. In today's digital era, online marketing is one of the materials taught by mentors.

"Thank God, after receiving financial assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs, I was able to buy additional raw materials and sewing machines. Also, I was taught how to market products online, such as using social media," he explained.

Synergy of Incubators, Mentors, and KBB Social Service

In addition to the independent goals of KPM, the synergy of the West Bandung Regency (KBB) Social Service, Oorange Padjadjaran University (Unpad) as incubators, and mentors also contributed to the success of the KPM.

"KBB has 285 targets and KPM's business has increased. We think about how their business will develop. We are increasing their human resources, improving packaging, as well as production quality following standards," said the Head of the West Regency Social Service, Sri Dustirawati.

"Hopefully this program will be even better, through the synergy of all parties, by utilizing existing local potentials. Starting from entrepreneurs to local governments," he added.

To maximize the independence of the KPM, the mentors who accompanied the KPM were previously given training (Training for Trainers) by Oorange Unpad with various kinds of materials.

"We teach about the understanding of digital marketing, business concepts, strengthening human resources. The trainers themselves consist of the Oorange team and practitioners," said Director of Oorange Unpad, Diana Sari.

Thanks to the cooperation of various parties, the mentor of the pulled tea and convection business, Rudi Juansyah felt that he had learned positive vibes, so he could share it with KPMs.

"The collaboration between the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Social Service, and the Incubator made me learn a lot. So, I can apply this knowledge to KPMs," he said.

2021-02-09
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