PARIGI MOUTONG (5 March 2024) - Ni Nyoman Sukarniasih, an elderly resident of Sausu Village in Parigi Moutong, Central Sulawesi, has received extraordinary attention from Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini and her team. Ni Nyoman and her family live in extremely dire conditions in a nearly dilapidated and squalid home. Responding swiftly to their situation, the Minister dispatched a team to assess and visit their residence in Sausu Trans Village, Sausu District on Tuesday (3/5).


"I heard about this through news scanning, and then I requested the team to conduct an assessment and provide assistance. We prioritize this case because the mother is disabled," said the Minister.


According to the reported case, Ni Nyoman Sukarniasih (67) lost her husband when her grandchildren were still young. Of her five children, only three still live with her, some working as farmers and construction workers. Most concerning is Ni Wayan Sriani (32), Ni Nyoman's fifth child, who has an intellectual disability. Despite their challenges, the family's spirit remains resilient, though they must sleep in inadequate conditions, cook with basic utensils, and bathe in the river because their sanitary facilities have collapsed.


The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) has provided various assistance and interventions, ranging from daily essentials to hospital health check-ups. MoSA has also contributed to the construction of a new home for Ni Nyoman Sukarniasih's family.

 

Ni Nyoman's family's new home was built just in front of their old one, beginning on February 21. The building featured 70 Disaster Response Volunteers (Tagana), 16 local government officials, and numerous members of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Parasida (PDHI). The Minister's instructions state that the house should be completed before Ramadan.


Previously, the Ministry collaborated with the community in Sausu Trans Village to clean Ni Nyoman's old house, repair the leaky roof, and then erect a multipurpose tent to provide temporary shelter while the house was being built.


The Ministry also provided Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) which included additional nutrition, school supplies, personal hygiene kits, clothing, household equipment, blankets, and mattresses.


Meanwhile, to support the family's economy, MoSA provided entrepreneurial assistance in the form of a loafing shed, four goats, and durian and avocado plants. The Ministry also worked with the local midwife to schedule regular health checkups for Ni Nyoman and her family and proposed Ni Nyoman's reinstatement into the DTKS (Social Welfare Integrated Data).


I Made Darma (17), Ni Nyoman's grandson, expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs. He is also pleased because he no longer has to worry about school fees.


"I am quite grateful. The school has also stated that they will cover the tuition till graduation," added Darma, who wishes to become a police officer.


The Minister highlighted that incidents like Ni Nyoman's should not be ignored. Therefore, she urged caregivers to actively reach out to beneficiaries who have not yet received assistance.


"The Ministry of Social Affairs maintains a reporting webpage. Through the command center or via social media. Media friends can also help," the Minister said.