PESAWARAN (9 November 2023) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini met Arif Desmanta Laja (14), an orphan who was the victim of bullying by his school friends until his nose was broken.  The Minister of Social Affairs arrived at Arif's residence in Sukaraja Village, Gedong Tataan District, Pesawaran, Lampung at around 02.30 p.m.  News about Arif was included in the Ministry of Social Affairs media scanning Thursday (9/10) morning and immediately caught the attention of the Minister of Social Affairs.

“I came early for the children whose parents abandoned them.  "Sometimes I don't wait, I just got the news this morning, I came straight here," said the Minister when stating to the media.

Minister Risma said she was worried about the safety of children who do not have parents.  For this reason, protection, support, and motivation are very important.  Risma said that children who do not have parents are the responsibility of the state as mandated in Article 34 of the 1945 Constitution. She emphasized that orphans should not be treated arbitrarily.

During the visit, Risma spent time dialoguing and motivating Arif.  The interaction between the two became a trauma healer for Arif.  “I want to show that the government is paying attention to him so that his trauma disappears.  "Who does he want to complain to?" said the Minister of Social Affairs.

Apart from Arif, Minister of Social Affairs paid attention to his two older brothers.  The first brother, Adam Kurniawan (20), was offered a job at one of the Ministry of Social Affairs' centers, while the second sister, Silviana Putri (18), will be helped with her tuition fees until she finishes.

Meanwhile, the arrival of the Minister of Social Affairs was greeted with joy by Arif and his family.  As a family representative, Adam said he was very impressed with the presence and attention given by the Minister of Social Affairs to him and his younger siblings.

“Thank God, the impression is the best.  Mrs. Risma's visit was an honor for me.  "Alhamdulillah, Mrs. Risma opened the door of fortune for all of us, for me and my younger siblings," said Adam.

Ministry of Social Affairs, through Handayani Center, provided a number of assistance to Arif.  Some of these include a bicycle, necessities, school equipment, nutritional needs, and various other assistance. Furthermore, Ministry of Social Affairs in Lampung will follow up on the direction of Minister Risma regarding fulfilling the education of Arif and his second brother, as well as providing employment opportunities for his first brother.