"Recipient families are declared to be 'graduated' (from the program) if their monthly income has surpassed their region's minimum wage," Rismaharini stated during the 2024 Pena Graduation agenda here on Thursday (April 4).
She noted that the program earlier targeted 7,500 benefit recipients to achieve self-sufficiency by 2023. However, the target was surpassed after the ministry recorded 10,073 recipients to have achieved self-sufficiency by 2023-end.
"The Social Affairs Ministry is committed to continuing the Pena program, as its benefits could bolster residents' income," she affirmed.
The minister remarked that recipients obtained the benefits in the form of business capital, which they can use to purchase equipment and materials to start their business.
Benefit recipients are also assisted in developing their product packaging, marketing, and financial management, she added.
During the agenda, Rismaharini spoke about a cookie merchant from Surabaya, East Java, who had successfully improved products' sales and marketing through the ministry's support.
The merchant, doing business as "Diah Cookies," earlier sold cookies for only Rp10 thousand (US$0.63) per package. Assistance from the ministry, including on its product taste and packaging development, helped the business upgrade its product quality.
Products made by "Diah Cookies" are now sold above Rp60 thousand (US$3.78) per package.
"The ministry helped us improve product quality, packaging, and marketing, which helped bolster our revenue. We wish to express our gratitude to the Social Affairs Ministry and Mrs. Rismaharini," Diah, the merchant who started "Diah Cookies," stated.
Apart from graduating recipients of the Pena program who have achieved self-sufficiency, Rismaharini also presented certificates of appreciation to university students who have contributed to helping to improve the packaging design of the benefit recipients' products.
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Translator: Hana Kinarina, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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