Receiving ATENSI Aid, KEM Kolok Bengkala Residents Become More Empowered

BULELENG (12 August 2023) - Acceleration of the distribution of assistance to vulnerable groups, namely the elderly and persons with disabilities continues to be carried out so that they are empowered and feel the presence of the state in society.

 The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Mahatmiya Center Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) in Bali provided Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) business capital aid for residents of Kolok Bengkala Community Economic Area (KEM) Village in Buleleng Regency, Bali Province.

 One resident, Arda, 54 years old, felt very helped by the assistance he received from Mahatmiya Center because he previously had no income.

 “Me and all the Kolok Bengkala residents here are greatly helped by the assistance from the government.  I am very happy, “said Arda.

 With the assistance received, the residents who receive the benefits will get an income and on Galungan the results can be sold while increasing family welfare.

 “If there is no assistance like this, of course, there will be no income.  But with the help of residents, they can earn income and it helps the family's economy," he said.

 Mahatmiya Center met with a community leader, I Made Astika, Head of Bengkala Buleleng Village, who took care of the residents and consulted until they decided on an entrepreneurial model from initially laying hens and with the consideration that they had to provide facilities and infrastructure.

 "As a result of the discussion there were difficulties and the residents decided on an agricultural model with the help of seeds with assistance from the village government for sales so there was income," he said.

 Head of Mahatmiya Center Sri Wibowo Sumarno stated that based on yesterday's integrated assessment conducted for income in a month ranging from IDR 1 million to IDR 1.5 million, residents' income could even be even higher.

 "Residents of Kolok Bengkala who are ATENSI beneficiaries admit that their village is well known because it is inhabited by people with speech disabilities, but they can interact to fulfill their daily needs as well as being an attraction for domestic and foreign tourists," he said.

 "Kolok Bengkala Village consists of 13 families and 42 people, most of whom work as farmers, construction workers, workers in furniture companies, MSMEs making herbal medicine, and weaving.  For communication, residents can be understood by other normal residents through gestures.  Mahatmiya Center provided special assistance for pigs for 82 persons with disabilities," he concluded.