SURABAYA (11 November 2023) -- Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini encouraged the spirit of heroism among 850 Beneficiary Families (KPM) of social assistance who were present at Kaza City Mall Surabaya, Saturday (11/11).  Minister of Social Affairs' presence was also to commemorate the 1st anniversary of Nusantara Economic Heroes (PENA) program.

Since its launch in November 2022, PENA has targeted thousands of Beneficiary Families (KPM) who are recipients of social assistance such as Family Hope Program (PKH), necessities, Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI), and other assistance.  PENA opens access to information and relationships, as well as provides business opportunities so that KPM can be independent and not depend on social assistance.  During its journey, PENA has graduated 7,814 KPM.

"Thank God, we have been able to graduate social assistance and currently they are trying to make it even better," said Minister of Social Affairs after attending PENA 1st anniversary event.

When speaking in front of KPM, Minister Risma encouraged KPM's enthusiasm to emulate heroes and rise from poverty and ignorance, for the sake of family welfare.  Colonization today is no longer physical, but a struggle to overcome ignorance and poverty.  Therefore, Minister of Social Affairs asked KPM not to be weak and to try to improve the family economy.

“During the events of November 10, we, who had no weapons, dared to fight the strongest army in the world.  Nobody expected it.  "But Surabaya people are brave," said the Minister, greeted by loud applause from the participants.

To inspire KPM, Minister of Social Affairs invited beneficiaries who managed to get out of the poverty line and are now independent.  One of those invited by the Minister was Fifit Yuldan Adiyanto (40).  This man from Lumajang once migrated to Malaysia and became an Indonesian Migrant Worker (TKI).  Currently, he has an oyster mushroom cultivation business and can employ 7 people.  In 2022, he received streamer assistance for mushroom sterilization.  This assistance was able to increase mushroom production up to two times.

“After being given the streamer, production increased a lot.  Initially, the production was only 3,000 – 4,000 mushroom seeds per month.  "After getting a streamer, you can get 8,000 to 9,000," he explained.

Apart from Fifit, there is Rifki Adnan Syarif who is a person with low vision and a viewing distance of two meters.  Currently, he is taking part in social rehabilitation at the Technical Implementation Unit of Ministry of Social Affairs at Pangudi Luhur Bekasi Integrated Center.  It was there that he received barista training and had a business with a turnover of IDR 32 million per month.  "I started from not understanding anything, from not knowing how to operate machines until I was able to be as independent as I am today," he said.

Rifki said he didn't want his customers to buy his products, out of pity –not his disabilities.  With that in mind, he always encourages himself to continue improving his abilities.  According to him, an entrepreneur must have the mindset to continue working, must not stop learning, and must not depend on other people.

Meanwhile, PENA has provided many opportunities for KPM who want to improve their business.  Routinely, PENA provides various workshops to KPM both online and offline.  KPM can gain knowledge on PENA TV broadcasts which can be accessed via YouTube, Zoom, and other social media.  KPM is allowed to take part in financial literacy workshops from Financial Services Authority, business development, food processing techniques, as well as seminars and packaging consultations by Tata Rupa Nusantara.