Tired And Up A Steep Road, Ganjar Visits Sawangargo Village To Meet Two Grandmothers

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - Mbah Saminem and Mbah Sarijah, two elderly people from Sawangargo Village, Salaman District, Magelang Regency, never thought they would get abundant sustenance. The number one person in Central Java came to their house, bringing help that made them smile.

Ganjar Pranowo visited Magelang. He went to remote villages, to provide assistance for house renovation, the budget of which was sourced from the Central Java Baznas. This time, it was Mbah Saminem and Mbah Sarijah's houses that received assistance of Rp. 20 million each.

Ganjar's arrival with assistance clearly made the two elderly people excited. How could they not live in an uninhabitable house, with woven bamboo walls and a dirt floor. If it rains, almost all parts of the house leak.

"I'm really happy to have my omahe dressed (yes, I'm glad the house is being repaired), kula mboten Kudanan (I don't get rained on)," said Mbah Saminem.

Everyday, Mbah Saminem lives alone. In his old age, he is still strong to earn a living by working odd jobs.

"He has hard odd jobs, farm laborers, wooden padhos (looking for wood), ndamel brooms and liane (making brooms and other jobs)," he said.

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

Likewise Mbah Sarijah. Even though his son's house is next door, he chooses to live alone at home. Mbah Sarijah's house is the same, with bamboo walls and a dirt floor. Some of the walls are even covered with plastic to prevent rainwater from entering.

Everyday, Mbah Sarijah works by making woven bamboo into besek or small baskets. His old age made him unable to work elsewhere.

“Thank you very much for the groomed omahe (thank you very much for the repair of the house). Thank God, mangke omahe dadi sae (later the house will be better), nek Jawah will flood (if it rains it won't flood)," he said with a smile.

Ganjar himself said he was very happy to be able to help the two elderly people in Magelang. Both live alone in a house that is unfit for habitation.

“We hope that if the house is repaired, these two grandmothers can live in their house comfortably. Because the story is the same, both of them get rained on when it rains," said Ganjar, quoted from a written statement from the Central Java Provincial Government, Friday, May 20.

Ganjar also expressed his gratitude to all ASN in Central Java who paid zakat, infaq and alms through Baznas. With the help collected, it can be used to help people in need.

"I thank you for the participation of ASN friends who are diligent in paying zakat, infaq and alms. Last Eid, the number increased by more than 100 percent, and it can be used for things like this. This is the spirit of mutual cooperation, friends, and a form of participation in accelerating poverty reduction," he concluded.

Baznas Central Java is indeed one of Ganjar's mainstays to help alleviate poverty programs. To date, the Central Java Baznas has contributed to the construction of 758 uninhabitable houses belonging to underprivileged residents.

In addition, many other programs are carried out with Baznas. These include training, providing business capital, scholarships, health assistance, disaster relief, and so on.