CIAMIS (February 3rd, 2024) – Rukmini (73) was endlessly grateful. She expressed her infinite gratitude to the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) who suddenly came to provide various assistance. She did not expect that assistance from MoSA would come and lighten her burden.

"Alhamdulillah, thank you very much," she said many times as an expression of gratitude. Her old face looked very happy.

Rukmini was grateful that her daughter, Imas (26), who had a physical disability, was being assisted by MoSA. During that time, Imas just lay limp on her bed. Imas had to be helped by her elderly mother in daily activities, such as eating and drinking, bathing, and urinating/defecating.

"We have carried out an assessment and taken Imas to the hospital," said the Social Worker at "Phalamartha" Center in Sukabumi, Burhanudin, who carried out the assessment on Rukmini's family.

Even the team from "Phalamartha" Center in Sukabumi and the Directorate for Empowerment of Remote Indigenous Communities and Entrepreneurship took Imas to Ciamis Regional Hospital for neurological and heart examinations, laboratory examinations, and a CT scan. From the results of the examination, Imas was found to be suffering from Dyskinetic/Athetoid Cerebral Palsy.

Imas was born in normal conditions, but the heat and seizures she suffered as a baby made her hands and feet stiff. Limited costs meant that Rukmini's family could not continue the treatment for her child. She could only accept the situation.

Rukmini had no money to buy a wheelchair or just take Imas to the hospital, so did to meet daily needs. To meet their daily needs, Rukmini helps her neighbors to make comro, or a typical Sundanese food made from grated cassava and oncom for IDR 10,000 per day. With such a low income, Rukmini couldn't do much, even to buy rice which costs IDR 12,000 per kilogram.

For this reason, she was very grateful for the presence of MoSA. MoSA assistance had never been imagined by her before. MoSA took Rukmini's beloved child, Imas, to the hospital and was given a complete examination. MoSA also provided adaptive wheelchairs for Imas' needs so that it could help her to move.

To support the family's economy, MoSA provided entrepreneurship assistance for Rukmini in the form of comro business equipment and Sentul chicken farming business, which is a chicken native to Ciamis. Besides, MoSA also provided assistance in the form of mattresses, basic necessities, personal hygiene equipment, and many more.

In terms of education, MoSA coordinated with Ordinary Special Schools (SLB) so that Imas could get the right to basic education. The SLB was enthusiastic to help by sending educators to Imas' house on holidays to help her study.

Rukmini said Imas was very happy to get an adaptive wheelchair from MoSA. Even though she had to be carried first when moving from the mattress to the adaptive chair, at least the wheelchair lightened her burden in so many ways. "I am very happy and grateful to MoSA for this various assistance," said Rukmini happily.

Not only providing assistance, MoSA also provided counseling to Rukmini regarding financial management. Furthermore, MoSA would carry out periodic visits to review the sustainability of the livestock and comro business managed by Rukmini.

Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs