"If it makes a noise, that means there is something. There's a thing or someone (in the way). You have to move, Sir," the minister told the recipient, who has a problem with his eyesight, according to a written statement received in Maumere, Sikka, on Wednesday.
During her visit, the minister also conversed with people living with disabilities by the shores of Jalan Lintas Flores, Raporendu, Nangapanda sub-district, on Tuesday.
She informed them that the walking stick would make a noise if there was an object in front of it. It could also sound an emergency alarm. She then handed two adaptive walking sticks to beneficiaries.
Muhammad Rustam, 46, an Ende resident was overcome with joy upon receiving the aid, so much so that his voice trembled when talking to the minister.
"From the bottom of my heart, I express so much gratitude to Mrs. Social Affairs Minister. I hope you can pay more attention to us," he remarked.
He said that some of his peers suffered from worse eyesight-related issues than him and that he expected the ministry to provide similar aid to them.
In response to the request, Rismaharini directed the Ende Social Affairs Office to collect data on people living with disabilities with complete details about their disabilities.
As many as 16 people were provided aid by the minister during the working visit. The beneficiaries comprised six children requiring special protection, five persons living with disabilities, and five elderly people.
The total value of the aid was Rp80.4 million (US$5,273). The aid included school supplies, staple foods, disability aids, a three-wheeled motor, and a business package for establishing a small food and drinks kiosk.
The minister also reviewed the progress of 25 fiber boats, which are currently in the phase of completion. The boats will be equipped with communication technology and devices for detecting fish. As much as Rp6.48 billion (US$425 thousand) has been disbursed for the project.
The boats have been crafted by the Ende people themselves.
According to Minister Rismaharini, fishermen's livelihoods could be at risk if they lack proper boats to support their job.
“So, if the tool to seek for food is non-existent, how are they going to prosper?" she asked.
The head of Ende district, Djafar Achmad, expressed his gratitude for the aid.
"This is a great thing for us all. Mrs. Rismaharini, we are very grateful for these 5 GT boats aid for fishermen," he said.
Achmad informed that 10 sub-districts received the aid, including Ende Island, Nangapanda, North Ende, South Ende, East Ende, Wolowaru, Wolojita, and Maurole.
Related news: Minister provides ATENSI aid to disabled in NTT's Sikka
Related news: Jakarta govt's social spending reaches Rp17.18 trillion
Related news: Minister disburses compensation, aid for victims of Jayapura quake
Translator: Fransiska M N, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
