JAKARTA – As the sacred month approached, Korindo Foundation came back with its Bina UMKM program on Wednesday (3/6), which extended aid to small shops next to the Korindo Headquarters in South Jakarta. Aid provision is how the Foundation supports micro, small, and medium businesses sustainably.
Capital grants were disbursed to sellers that operate at the front of the Pancoran sectoral police station. There were a total of seven beneficiaries, who all run food establishments.
One of them was Maryuni. It’s been seventeen years since this 60-year-old woman began selling soto ayam (chicken soup with rice vermicelli, veggies and turmeric broth). Her hard work has helped her send her children to college.
“At first, I was assisting my husband [selling soto ayam]. Then I found this place [the police station]. It’s a good location, close to offices, so I was encouraged to run the business from here, so nearby workers can get their midday meals.”
To keep up with the huge demand from customers, Maryuni needed more money to buy cooking equipment and ingredients — especially ahead of Ramadan, when basic food prices rise.
“There are often times when my regulars come in for lunch but I run out of stock, and they end up wondering what to eat. And I don’t make that many batches because of restrictions [in terms of raw materials and tools],” she said.
Meanwhile, drink hawker Jack thanked the Foundation as the latter’s program has always aided food and beverage vendors at the station.
“I’m so grateful. If not for Korindo, who would buy our food? Their attention will surely be helpful to our longevity.”
At the aid handover, Korindo Foundation’s general secretary Seo Jeong Sik expressed hopes that the grants would be useful.
“We would like to congratulate the beneficiaries. We hope that with this grant, you can expand your business and make it grow.”
Besides Maryuni and Jack, the chosen business owners were Supriyatin (selling fritters), Saman (gado-gado [Indonesian salad with peanut sauce dressing]), Didi (Malang-style meatball dish), Sudaryanto (siomay [steamed fish dumplings]), and Adi (chicken noodles). (PR)