JAKARTA (January 27th, 2024) - A total of 303 social companions were seen crowding Nusantara Economic Hero (PENA) Workshop which was held at “Mulya Jaya” Flats in Jakarta for three days from 26 to 28 January 2024. The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) provided social companions in Jakarta and Tangerang areas with various materials to strengthen their own empowerment and also to be applied to the Beneficiary Families (KPM) they accompanied.

The Head of the Center for Education, Training and Professional Development, Afrizon Tanjung said that MoSA, one of which, through Pusdiklatbangprof, was always trying to make improvements to both ASN and non-ASN, including social companions and the general public. These training sessions are a way to ensure that beneficiaries can become independent more quickly.

"In strengthening KPMs PENA, of course, it requires a companion role. Therefore, we also need to strengthen the companions," said Afrizon.

In PENA Workshop, MoSA provided three classes intended for social companions consisting of Family Hope Program (PKH) Companions, District Social Welfare Workers (TKSK) and Social Rehabilitation Companions. Classes provided training on simple research, financial literacy, digital marketing, as well as photography and videography.

In simple research training, the companions were equipped with the knowledge to see the prospect of market conditions and product sales. Meanwhile, through digital marketing, participants were taught tips and tricks for marketing their products through marketplace or social media. Providing photography and videography was also very necessary to support this marketing. A beautiful product appearance would certainly make the product more attractive and sell better on the market.

Besides, financial literacy was as important as those three things. In this class, participants were taught to be wise in managing their finances and not to spend them on tertiary needs. This was very important considering that there were quite a lot of cases where when the economy improved, KPMs’ expenses were greater than their income.

Khoirotun Nisa, a PKH Companion for South Tangerang, also took part in a simple research training class on Saturday (27/1). This woman, who was often called Nisa, was happy as she gained a lot of knowledge that was useful for herself and the beneficiary families she accompanied.

"This is very useful for me. If there are KPMs who have businesses, we can teach them to research first from a qualitative and quantitative perspective, what the future prospects will be. So yes, this is useful for KPMs, as well as for us (as companions)," said Nisa.
 
Andi Mawardi, a PKH Regional Coordinator for Jakarta, who took a videography class, also felt the same thing. Andi felt that PKH Companions must be able to keep up with current developments so they could teach the KPM they accompanied.

"In the future, technology will be advanced. Social media will also have a tremendous impact on the environment. It is important for us to know about videography so that we can transmit it to KPMs in a language that is easier for KPMs to understand," said Andi.

Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs
Public Relations Bureau