GOWA (July 16, 2019) - Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita visited the elderly (elderly) who lived at the "Gau Mabaji" Elderly Social Rehabilitation Center (BRSLU), Gowa Regency, Tuesday.

The arrival of the number one person at the Ministry of Social Affairs was warmly welcomed by the elderly who were doing their daily activities in the living room of the dorm. Some were reading newspapers, making paper flower handicrafts, sitting chatting with fellow friends. Occasionally they hummed and jested.

"Assalamualaikum (Peace Be Upon You), how are you, what are you doing today?" said the Minister.

The Minister then squatted near a man sitting in a wheelchair, his name is Darmono. While holding the Social Minister's hand, the man invited the Minister to sing.

"This is Broeri's song (Marantika, red). I still remember ...," he said with tears in his eyes.

Accompanied by Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Edi Suharto and Director General of Social Empowerment, Pepen Nazarudin, the Minister of Social Affairs held a dialogue with the elderly. They told me about their activities while at the hall. A smile spread on their lips seeing the visit of the Minister of Social Affairs and his entourage.

From the dorm room, the Social Minister moved to the multipurpose hall. In this place, several elderly people were sitting cross-legged on the carpet, facing each other which each facing a long table.

"Where is Mr. Minister, where is he?," asked Ismail Arsyad impatiently while looking at the group entering the hall.

When Social Minister approached, the man who was making these paper flowers reached out his right hand. They shook hands and smiled. The Minister then sat among the elderly while observing their activities in making various handicrafts from plastic waste that was used as mineral water.

"This kind of activity is a part of Livelihood Therapy," said the Head of the Elderly Social Rehabilitation Center "Gau Mabaji", Syam Wuryani while accompanying the Minister with the elderly.

The woman who is familiarly called Yani revealed, Life Therapy is very important to train elderly psychomotor. In this session the elderly usually gather in one room together, talk to each other with fellow seniors while they make paper flowers, coloring stones for decoration, cutting, arranging and arranging waste plastic bottles of mineral water into multipurpose containers.

"Various activities carried out by the elderly at Balai are directed to improve their quality of life optimally. In addition to Livelihood Therapy, they also get Physical, Psychosocial, and Spiritual Therapy," he explained.

"Gau Mabaji" Gowa Elderly Social Rehabilitation Center (BRSLU) in 2019 is targeting to reach out and provide services to 390 elderly people in their working areas.

As many as 100 elderly who need further rehabilitation in the hall and 290 elderly who are in the community through outreach programs, family support, and Home Care through the Social Welfare Institution (LKS).

The working area of ​​the "Gau Mabaji" Social Rehabilitation Center covers 10 provinces, consisting of the provinces of South Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, Bali, East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan and North Kalimantan.

At the end of the visit the Minister conveyed to the elderly to use the center to remain able to work, to fill their time happily, and to remain enthusiastic.

"I see and increasingly understand the challenges faced in the center in serving the elderly. The commitment and dedication of friends are all expected to improve services, including patience in dealing with or interacting with the elderly," he wrote when asked to give an impression and message in a large paper with silver ink.

"Gau Mabaji" Elderly Social Rehabilitation Center stands on an area of ​​2.97 hectares. Currently it has been strengthened by 49 people. This center has innovated the Elderly Social Care Model in the community and created the SI RELA or Sistem Informasi Rehabilitasi Sosial Lanjut Usia (Elderly Social Rehabilitation Information System).

BRSLU "Gau Mabaji" has successfully achieved ISO 9001: 2015 in the Management Quality System and has an Accreditation of institutions from the Accreditation Board with the highest score of 566 (excelent).

Before visiting BRSLU "Gau Mabaji", the Minister of Social Affairs inaugurated the rehabilitation of the National Heroes Cemetery of Sultan Hasanuddin on Jl. Palantikang, Katangka, Somba Opu District, Gowa Regency. The next visit on the same day was to review the location of the Indonesian National Armed Forces United in Village Development (TMMD) in Sudiang Raya Village, Bringkanaya District.

Also present at the Minister of Social Affairs' visit to South Sulawesi were Special Staff of the Minister of Social Affairs, Febri Hendri and Neil Iskandar, Head of Public Relations Bureau, Sonny W. Manalu, Director of Social Empowerment, Individuals, Families and Community Institutions (PSPKKM), Bambang Mulyadi, Director of Management of Social Assistance Fund Resources PSDBS), Hotman.


Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs

Sonny W. Manalu