Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, in Jakarta on Friday (January 19), held a dialogue with 21 homeless people and personally invited them to inhabit flats provided by the Social Affairs Ministry.
Based on a statement received in Jakarta on Friday, Rismaharini took the effort to individually ask the homeless people about the problems they faced as well as their aspirations. Most of the homeless persons she met were scavengers.
During the dialogue, the minister offered several options to the homeless people, such as participating in entrepreneurial training courses in the ministry's social centers, returning to their hometowns, and moving to flats managed by the ministry.
She noted that the flats are available for those who are married and whose ID cards mention Jakarta as the region of residence.
"The flats are available for families. If your children's schools are located far from the flats, we can help you transfer your kids to another school," she told the homeless people.
Of the 21 people that Rismaharini met, most did not have an identity card. Hence, the minister offered them to return to their hometowns to start running businesses with the help of the ministry's social centers located nearby.
"We are ready to take you back to your hometowns," she remarked while emphasizing that people can achieve success outside the capital city.
Rismaharini's offers were then met with mixed responses, as some of the homeless people agreed immediately to go home, while some others were reluctant to do the same.
Hence, to this end, the minister suggested that those unwilling to return to their hometowns, especially the elderly, should register themselves at the ministry's social centers.
"Old age savings are crucial, especially for health care. This problem can be solved by registering yourselves at social centers," she told the elderly homeless people.
Ubay, 83, a homeless person hailing from East Java's Surabaya City, accepted Rismaharini's offers.
"I wish to return home. I remember the address, but I have forgotten the house's number," Ubay remarked.
In response, Rismaharini, who served as Surabaya mayor, immediately contacted her colleagues in the city to help locate Ubay's family.
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Based on a statement received in Jakarta on Friday, Rismaharini took the effort to individually ask the homeless people about the problems they faced as well as their aspirations. Most of the homeless persons she met were scavengers.
During the dialogue, the minister offered several options to the homeless people, such as participating in entrepreneurial training courses in the ministry's social centers, returning to their hometowns, and moving to flats managed by the ministry.
She noted that the flats are available for those who are married and whose ID cards mention Jakarta as the region of residence.
"The flats are available for families. If your children's schools are located far from the flats, we can help you transfer your kids to another school," she told the homeless people.
Of the 21 people that Rismaharini met, most did not have an identity card. Hence, the minister offered them to return to their hometowns to start running businesses with the help of the ministry's social centers located nearby.
"We are ready to take you back to your hometowns," she remarked while emphasizing that people can achieve success outside the capital city.
Rismaharini's offers were then met with mixed responses, as some of the homeless people agreed immediately to go home, while some others were reluctant to do the same.
Hence, to this end, the minister suggested that those unwilling to return to their hometowns, especially the elderly, should register themselves at the ministry's social centers.
"Old age savings are crucial, especially for health care. This problem can be solved by registering yourselves at social centers," she told the elderly homeless people.
Ubay, 83, a homeless person hailing from East Java's Surabaya City, accepted Rismaharini's offers.
"I wish to return home. I remember the address, but I have forgotten the house's number," Ubay remarked.
In response, Rismaharini, who served as Surabaya mayor, immediately contacted her colleagues in the city to help locate Ubay's family.
Related news: Kalideres refugees may be 'homeless' after Aug 31
Related news: Rp2.3 billion allocated to help homeless, beggars: Ministry
Related news: Dompet Dhuafa distributes food among homeless people in US
Translator: Devi N, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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