BALI (7 September 2020) - Ministry of Social Affairs moves quickly to take a real initiatives, focusing on strengthening citizens who are struggling to survive due to the impact of the pandemic.

A total of 2,000 packages of social assistance of the MoSA Present were symbolically handed over by the Ministry of Social Affairs' Dharma Wanita Advisor Association Grace Batubara to the Balinese.

1,000 basic food packages for Denpasar City residents through the Mercy Indonesia Foundation and 1,000 basic food packages for residents of Tabanan District, Tabanan Regency through the Bakti Marga Foundation.

The distance did not lessen Grace Batubara and his entourage to bring a joy to the Balinese. Grace said to keep up the spirit to get back up.

"I feel how the pandemic has hit the economy and social life of Bali, where tourist destinations are the livelihoods of most of Balinese people. What we provide is basic food for those whose names may not be on the list of central government assistance. Hopefully the spirit of mutual cooperation will be maintained, because that's all we can do at this time, "said Grace Batubara.

An atmosphere full of intimacy appeared when Grace Batubara and entourage arrived at the Mercy Indonesia Foundation Office, Tonja Village, North Denpasar District, Denpasar City. Her presence was received by the Chairperson of the Bali Province TP PKK Ny Putri Suastini Koster.

"Thank you for your sincerity to greet our people who are affected by Covid-19. What we can do now is return to the Indonesian national identity, namely mutual cooperation, sympathy, empathy and care. Only in that way do we feel that this burden is not a heavy burden. This assistance is intended for employees who are victims of layoffs and other affected people in Denpasar and its surroundings, "said Mrs. Putri Suastini Koster.

Ida Bagus Putu Mahardika (29) saw full of gratitude when he received a symbolic aid. He is a former hotel employee in the Nusa Dua area who was dismissed because the hotel he worked for was experiencing a crisis and was temporarily closed.

"Thank you, this assistance has been very helpful for my family. During this pandemic I was doing work on projects, small businesses, trading incense. Approaching Galungan, I also sell lunkhead and groceries. Hopefully the pandemic will pass quickly and everyone can do activities like before," added Ida Bagus Putu Mahardika.

Grace Batubara's friendliness and care also had its own impression for Komang (45), when Grace Batubara and her entourage visited her.

"I sell coffee and cold drinks. Work from 10 am to 8 pm. The difference was before Corona I got 100 thousand per day, now I get 50 thousand sometimes 40 thousand. This is my first time receive this assistance, I never got it at all before. Thank you Ministry of Social for its assistance," added Komang.

Still in the spirit of building togetherness and care, the arrival of Grace Batubara and her entourage at the Dauh Peken Village Office, Tabanan Regency, was welcomed by the Deputy Regent of Tabanan, I Komang Gede Sanjaya.

"It is an honor for us, your arrival in Tabanan is the second time and hopefully not the last. Your presence brings encouragement to our people. Regardless of the situation, Tabanan Regency is Bali's rice granary, where food security starts from here. This will be distributed to underprivileged residents and the elderly in Tabanan District," said I Komang Gede Sanjaya.

Not many words were spoken by Ni Nyoman Yulia Ningsih (55), a housewife who often lives alone after her husband's passed away. Only expressions and words of gratitude he conveyed to Grace Batubara.

"I thank you, Minister, I hope the pandemic will end quickly. I am just a housewife, my husband has passed away a year ago. Usually I got it from children everyday, but because of Corona, their salary is only a half now," said Ni Nyoman Yulia Ningsih.

TKSK together with other social pillars at the village and subdistrict levels are also directly involved in proposing potential recipients of this assistance. This was conveyed by I Made Nursana, the Provincial Coordinator of TKSK Bali. They also suggested residents who were still scattered and had never received assistance.

Present at the activities were the Director of Management of Social Assistance Funds Resources, Technical Staff of the Minister for Social Empowerment, Members of the Dharma Wanita Persatuan Kemensos Mrs. Syifa Asep Sasa, Mrs. Betty Laode Taufik. Also attending were the Head of the Bali Province Social, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service, as well as the Denpasar City Unity Dharma Wanita Advisor.