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Three-wheeled Motorbike from MOSA, Saparman's Companion to Picks up Hope
Writer :
Intan Qonita N
Translator :
Nia Annisa
BANDUNG REGENCY (14 July 2021) - The first call to prayer has just finished echoing. The rooster crows loudly, a sign that morning is soon coming.
After fulfilling his duties as a Muslim, Saparman (50) walks down the stairs on his knee pads to prepare his wares on the ground floor of Rusunawa Baleendah (Baleendah Flats for Rent), where he has been living for the past 11 years.
An electric tricycle from the Ministry of Social Affairs was parked there. Behind him is a glass shelf containing an assortment of drinks: coffee, milk, tea also packs of tissue from various brands, instant noodles cups, and non-medical masks neatly arranged.
Saparman turn on the stove to boil water. The water then saved into the thermos flask carefully.
The silhouette of the sun was starting to turn red on the horizon. Saparman's electric motorbike descends the flat ramp then goes along the road in Baleendah at a moderate speed. His first destination was SMPN 1 Baleendah, where he used to sell his wares.
"Usually I go around Baleendah, Bojongsoang, Dayeuhkolot, Batununggal, Kebon Kelapa to the Bandung City Square and the Bandung Grand Mosque. However, because of the PPKM (Emergency Public Activity Restrictions), I only go around Baleendah and Buahbatu," said Saparman in Baleendah, Bandung Regency, West Java (12/7) ago.
After staying at school, Saparman moved to Al Ihsan Baleendah Hospital until Dzuhur, then went home to fill his thermos flask and rest.
"In the afternoon I go to Carrefour Buah Batu. I stay there until Maghrib or until the hot water run out, then return home at 7 pm," said Saparman.
Before getting Social Rehabilitation Assistance Program (ATENSI) from the Ministry of Social Affairs in the form of an electric tricycle, Saparman was selling tissue at various corners of Bandung's arterial roads.
"I used to sell tissue on sidewalks, crossroads, and traffic lights in Bandung. There was absolutely no assistive device, I walked on my knees and carried a backpack on my back, while in each hand I held three tissue packs to offer to drivers passing by in Dago, Braga and Leuwipanjang," recalls Saparman.
Due to limited capital, Saparman sells other people's tissues using a deposit system. The income was uncertain.
"In the past, I only got IDR 3,000 per day. I can only be patient, it can’t be helped," said the father of two children.
Before having an electric motorbike, Saparman had to change modes of transportation to sell from one area to another. With minimal income, Saparman feels grateful because there are still many good people who help him.
"Angkot (public minivans) drivers are reluctant to accept the fare I give, instead they give me money," said Suparman who is also a settler from Padang Pariaman.
After getting an electric tricycle, now Saparman has changed his profession to become a mobile tissue and beverage vendor.
"A day at least I get IDR 45,000, at most IDR 80,000 to IDR 120,000. Thank God, although it is not certain, it is enough for daily meals and buying stock for the next sale," said Saparman.
His customers are scattered in various places. Adek (64) is one of Saparman's loyal customers. Adek had known Saparman since 2007 when the two of them were selling side by side at SMPN 1 Baleendah.
"Back when Abah (Saparman) was still wearing a prosthetic leg on one of his legs, he was selling cilok (skewered tapioca balls) using a cart, while I was the one selling coffee," said Adek who is also a street vendor selling fried chicken and fried cilok.
Adek often buys milk coffee from Saparman's stall because of his friendliness. He feels happy with the ATENSI assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs that Saparman received.
"Alhamdulillah, hopefully this assistance can make it easier for Abah to work and go around," said Adek.
The same thing was conveyed by Bima Muhammad Arief (28), an online motorcycle taxi driver who bought from Saparman's several times. Because both of them have high mobility, Bima often meets Saparman in various locations.
"When we hang out with other online motorcycle taxi drivers, Mas Parman often passes by offering coffee, so we buy it," said Bima.
In accordance with the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, this year the Ministry of Social Affairs encourages the mobility of people with disabilities by providing 490 units of disability aids with a total value of IDR 15 billion.
Saparman felt grateful for being one of the recipients of ATENSI assistance in the form of an electric tricycle and business capital he received from the Cibinong "Inten Suweno" Center in mid-June.
"This motorbike is my replacement 'leg' in sustaining life and hope," said Saparman.
In the future, Saparman hopes to be able to increase business capital to vary the goods he sells.
"Even though I am physically limited, I will not back down. My past bitter experience does not dampen my enthusiasm to continue selling," said Saparman optimistically.
Public Relations Bureau
Ministry of Social Affairs
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