JAKARTA - Social Minister Tri Rismaharini walked along Jalan Matraman Raya, East Jakarta distributing masks to residents.
Masks were distributed to people who happened to be along the sidewalks such as motorcycle taxi and bajaj drivers, parking attendants, office security units and so on.
In the midst of distributing masks, Social Minister Risma found two families of scavengers resting under a pedestrian bridge in front of the Wisma Kemhan. To the two, the Minister of Social Affairs invited them to Balai Pangudi Luhur Bekasi to get Ministry of Social services.
"Follow me. I'll give you a job later. Later, you will get more regular income. The children will come along. So they can go to school. Later there will be many friends," said the Social Minister to Sofyan, a scavenger from Subang whom he met, quoted by Antara, Friday, July 16.
At first Sofyan still looked doubtful about the Social Minister's offer. He looked at his wife having a small discussion. "Would you like that?" Risma asked.
A similar offer was also made to Ahmad Jaenudin, a fellow scavenger of Sofyan who happened to be in the same place.
Jaenudin (68) from Majalengka admitted that he was interested in the Social Minister's offer. Jaenudin is sure that he will get a better life under the guidance of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
"Yes, I want to join. The hope is that I can get a better life," he said.
The two were immediately delivered by the Ministry of Social's Rapid Response Team to the Pangudi Luhur Hall in Bekasi. At the Ministry of Social Affairs office, Sofyan and his family and Jaenudin will receive services, by first conducting an assessment and undergoing the COVID-19 prevention health protocol.
Prior to Sofyan and Jaenudin, the Ministry of Social Affairs had also provided services at the Ministry of Social's Attention Creation Center (SKA) to dozens of underprivileged communities. They receive social guidance, vocational training and entrepreneurship coaching.
They are also given assistance and reinforcement for entrepreneurial activities through cafes, galleries, catfish farming, hydroponic plants, laundry and also selling in grocery stores.
The COVID-19 pandemic that has lasted more than a year has had an impact on various sectors. One of the impacts of the pandemic is that many people have lost their homes and income.
With SKA, it is hoped that the underprivileged and marginalized people will gain entrepreneurial skills so that they can be socially and economically independent.
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