GUNUNGSITOLI (11th June 2020) - Martilina Zendrato, one of the beneficiaries of the Family Hope Program (PKH) from Iraono Lase Village, Gunungsitoli Alo'oa Regency, Gunungsitoli City, North Sumatra decided to graduate in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was made because her business of chicken and catfish were getting smoother.

"The economic condition of the family has changed for the better, we are able to Fulfill the needs of the family independently without having to depend on PKH (assistance)," she said explaining the reason for the graduation.

Martilina has five children who are currently still attending school and one toddler. In addition to the better family economy since February 2020, her felt there were still many other people who needed PKH assistance more, so that she and her husband agreed to decide to quit from PKH.

Furthermore, she said that since being registered as a PKH participant in 2016, her family's needs have been greatly helped. The existence of PKH is felt to be very useful in helping to fulfill the children's education and health needs.

"I accepted PKH in 2016, from then on, PKH helped us a lot in fulfill the needs of the children in school. At PKH, we are also taught and motivated by our companions on good ways to raise children and also family finances," she said.

Independent graduate is a tangible manifestation of PKH's success in helping people move out of the poverty line, empowering underprivileged families to become independent prosperous families.

To response that, the City Coordinator, together with PKH Supervisors and Facilitators for Gunungsitoli City, made a visit to Martilina's house as a token of appreciation for the awareness of her family who voluntarily left PKH, Friday (29/5).

PKH Coordinator for Gunungsitoli City, Meiman Larosa, directly expressed his appreciation for the success of the Martilina's family in becoming an independent family. According to him, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were competing to get the assistance.

"However, the opposite was shown by the Martilina's family. They prefer to live in prosperity, without hoping for assistance. Because basically, PKH assistance is intended for families who really need it, thank you for the awareness of the family,” he said appreciatively.

In line with this, the Social Worker of PKH Gunungsitoli City Supervisor, Justin Foera-era Lase, also expressed his appreciation for the Martilina Zendrato's family. "It is joyful news for us if there are families who graduate independently because it shows the success of PKH," said Justin.

The awareness of the mother's family, he continued, is an encouragement for us that PKH has proven to be beneficial in helping people get out of poverty. "Once again, we appreciate it, we congratulate to the families of them. We hope that more and more of our people in Gunungsitoli City will get out of poverty through PKH,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a different place, the Village Head, Iraono Lase, Lase Memorial, also gave his appreciation and thanked PKH. He said PKH had taken many roles in improving the welfare of the community, especially in Iraono Lase Village. "Hopefully PKH will continue to develop," he concluded