JAKARTA (December 7, 2019) - Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara, revealed that the government encourages creativity and innovation in developing the entrepreneurship of Family Hope Program (PKH) beneficiaries social assistance, one of which is through the Village Owned Enterprises (BUMDes).

"Entrepreneurship is a way for PKH beneficiaries to be able to improve the family's economy. Because the core of PKH is not just giving out financial aid, but we are assisting the beneficiaries of social assistance to be able to become independent entrepreneurs," said the Minister in Jakarta, Saturday (12/7).

He gave an example of a pioneering effort by PKH beneficiaries, hereinafter referred to as PKH Beneficiary Families (KPM), in Cianjur Regency.

Through the support provided by one local institution called BUMDes, KPM in Sukajadi Village, Campaka Sub District, Cianjur District, totaling 19 people, were involved in entrepreneurship development through BUMDes, called BUMDes Karya Mekar.

A total of 19 KPM is incorporated in two BUMDes business units, they are business of buying and selling groceries and the village's flagship product in the form of processed tofu food.

Cianjur Regency Social Worker Supervisor, Ikbal Sonuari said the participation of the PKH KPM in BUMDes had started since August 2019.

"Since they get into BUMDes business unit, the level of the family's economy has increased due to business opportunities and material support in the form of goods and business capital supply," said Ikbal.

The KPM, he continued, were also included in various entrepreneurship training provided by BUMDes.

"As long as KPM is involved in BUMDes Karya Mekar, we always provide assistance. Both Social Assistance and Social Worker Supervisors continue to develop the entrepreneurship process, so that the KPM involved can be more focused in managing their businesses upto they are capable both socially and economically," Ikbal explained.

Now, they are capable to supply goods such as basic food items in Sukajadi Village and those other villages that are located close to Sukajadi Village.

One other business product is a processed product from tofu called Sistik Tahu and Tofu Crackers which is run by several KPM.

Head of the Pasir Gajah Business Group in Sukajadi Village, Campaka Subdistrict, Imas Masriah, revealed that at the beginning, she run the tofu crackers business independently with his colleagues. Then, Sukajadi Sub-District Social Assistant tried to involve them in the business unit at the BUMDes Karya Mekar.

Now, they are a part of business operators in BUMDes.

The gross turnover obtained by the tofu processed business unit reaches three to four million rupiahs each month.

This contributed to the Village's Original Income (PAD) and also provided economic income to the business operators themselves, that is KPMs involved in the BUMDes.

Sukajadi Sub-district Social Assistant, Ali Ahmad Hidayat hopes that the involvement of KPM in BUMDes Karya Mekar will be able to provide business opportunities and provide a source of income in order to meet the life needs of the KPM as well.

"They are also very happy because they can play a role and contribute to the increase in village income managed through BUMDes," said Ali.

Minister of Social Affairs, Ari, as he is familiarly called, hopes that this story from Cianjur can inspire PKH Facilitators and other PKH KPM to continue to strive towards economic independence and independent prosperity graduation.

"As directed by President Joko Widodo, he hopes that in the future there will be more KPMs who are independent and prosperous. So that in the end, they voluntarily declare come out of PKH membership, as was done by one of the KPM, Imas Masriah from Cianjur," said him proudly.