JAKARTA (March 29th, 2024) – Bintang Cahaya Ramadini is cheerful again. This 15 year old girl, who currently studies in Junior High School, feels happy to be able to live in a comfortable and quiet environment at Mulya Jaya Flats in Jakarta, owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA).

Bintang has been suffering from leaky kidney disease since June 2023. Bintang has to undergo dialysis twice a week. Bintang's father, Muhalim, works as a pedicab driver with a meager income. He certainly had difficulty paying for Bintang's medical expenses. In fact, her mother, who used to run a business selling uduk rice, has now stopped selling because she has to regularly take her daughter to the hospital for treatment.

MoSA, through "Handayani" Center in Jakarta, immediately acted to help Bintang and her family. Some assistance in the form of basic necessities, nutrition, personal hygiene equipment, mattresses, daily clothes, underwear, mukena, and the purchase of medicines which are not covered by BPJS were provided by MoSA.

Bintang's parents were also empowered through PENA entrepreneurship assistance program in the form of a business selling vegetables, boiled instant noodles and brewed coffee in front of their house.

Currently, Bintang and her family are being given the opportunity to live in Mulya Jaya Flats in Jakarta. With comfortable, clean and quiet conditions, Bintang can socialize again with her peers who also live in Mulya Jaya Flats in Jakarta.

“We feel at home and happy living in the flat. The place is clean, comfortable and the facilities are complete. Bintang is also suitable (living here), she can play with her peers," said Halimah.

Bintang's parents hope that their daughter will recover soon, grow and develop, like other children within her age. Bintang's father is also grateful that he has received attention from MoSA so that his daughter can easily undergo treatment. “I would like to say a thousand thanks to the Minister for everything that has been given to us," said Muhalim.

Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs