The Rickety House Will Be Restored By The Central Java Provincial Government, Mbah Dasromi Goes To Ganjar: Happy Alhamdulillah

Photo of Ganjar Pranowo inside Mbah Dasromi's house (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - The wooden-walled house looks the simplest among the other houses in Tegal Arum Village, Borobudur District, Magelang. The floor is dirt, the tiled roof is arranged irregularly. Several holes can be seen gaping in the roof.

This is where Mbah Dasromi and his wife, Mbah Kotiyah, live. The husband and wife couple who are more than 90 years old are one of the poorest residents in the village. Everyday, both of them live in a house that is far from decent.

The couple had a special guest, the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, who came with help. Mbah Dasromi and Mbah Kotiyah were so excited, because Ganjar provided the assistance they had longed for, namely the construction of an uninhabitable house (RTLH).

The governor explained that the RTLH program will continue to be encouraged because the success of this program will be one indicator of reducing extreme poverty.

"This is a target for reducing extreme poverty in Central Java. The pattern is mutual cooperation. After three months of studying, now there is high community participation to help solve this problem," said Ganjar in a written statement, Thursday, April 7.

The 2022 RTLH assistance program in Central Java Province has so far reached almost 6,600 units from the target of 11,417 housing units. Conditions such as Mbah Dasromi's house are included in the criteria as the target beneficiaries.

"Thank God, thank God I was accompanied by nopo-nopo (given a lot of help). Happy, alhamdulillah, mboten gadhah is also accompanied by werni-werni (people who don't have it, are given various types of assistance)," said Mbah Dasromi.

Mbah Dasromi and his wife, because their old age made them unable to work anymore. The money generated is only enough for daily needs. Because of that, they were very touched, because they unexpectedly received assistance for RTLH renovation.

"Good luck Pak Ganjar is accompanied by good health, Wilujeng and I wish you a long life," he said while looking in the mirror.

The rehabilitation of uninhabitable houses is indeed a program that Ganjar Pranowo continues to push. The program has been carried out for a long time, but during this Ramadan, he is diligent in traveling to a number of places to provide assistance for the RTLH.

"Today we and Baznas are distributing aid, there are basic necessities and RTLH assistance. Hopefully, this method can reduce the poverty rate," he said.

There are two patterns used in solving the housing problem of the poor. The first is the budget from the province, and the second is from the district/city.

"However, we believe that the state budget may not be sufficient, that's why we mobilize other sectors, namely Baznas, CSR, and philanthropists. That way, we are optimistic that more houses will be built to be more livable and healthier," he explained.

In addition to handing over RTLH assistance, while waiting for the time to break his fast in Magelang, Ganjar also visited a number of places. Among them at the Arrohman Magelang Orphanage and the cooking oil inspection at the Muntilan Market.