Santosa was assigned as a rice cook and Candra was responsible for preparing the protein components of the meals.
“I gained new insights, experiences, and friends. I have realized that maintaining health through food is more important than anything else because good health is very expensive,” he said in a statement issued by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) here on Tuesday.
He added that the program helped him develop skills that could support his future employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, Candra said he is proud of participating in a program that gives back to the community. He said the experience had a meaningful impact on his personal growth.
He recalled a touching moment when he received a thank-you letter from elementary school students after delivering meals.
“One of the letters said, ‘Thank you, big brothers and sisters, for giving us delicious and healthy food.’ That message really moved and motivated me,” he added.
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He expressed the hope that the MBG Program would continue to run smoothly and that, upon their release, the inmates could continue to work in community kitchens.
“To everyone involved in the MBG Program, I wish you good health. We also hope to open our own kitchen one day,” he said.
Earlier, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) praised the involvement of corruption case inmates in the MBG kitchen at Sukamiskin Class I Prison in Bandung, West Java.
An advisor at the PCO, Adita Irawati, said that empowering inmates through the MBG program has long-term benefits, as it equips them with skills to support their reintegration into the workforce.
Related news: MBG program to create 90 thousand jobs: BGN
Translator: Lintang, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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