{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1881435,
        "msgid": "pnm-mekaar-helps-seamstress-support-five-families-with-a-single-sewing-machine-1784991094",
        "date": "2026-07-25 21:30:35",
        "title": "PNM Mekaar Helps Seamstress Support Five Families with a Single Sewing Machine",
        "author": "Dwi Murdaningsih",
        "source": "REPUBLIKA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Business",
        "summary": "Utari, a Surabaya woman, turned a Rp 2 million microloan from PNM Mekaar into a thriving souvenir bag business after her husband's accident left him unable to work. Seven years on, she has expanded her operations to employ four other seamstresses, effectively supporting five families. The state-owned enterprise highlights her journey as a testament to how targeted capital and training can foster financial independence and community-wide economic uplift.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA - The number of women who head households or act as primary\nbreadwinners in Indonesia continues to rise. More than 16 per cent of\nhouseholds now depend on women as the family\u2019s backbone.<\/p>\n<p>Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reflects a reality that demands\ninclusive financing access to support these women\u2019s struggles. A real\nexample is Utari, a 58-year-old resident of Panjang Jiwo, Surabaya.<\/p>\n<p>In 2019, her husband suffered a serious accident that left him unable\nto work, just as the Covid-19 pandemic struck Indonesia. In dire\nstraits, she relied on her only skill \u2014 sewing \u2014 to survive.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt that time I was confused about where to borrow capital. Then I\nheard information about PNM Mekaar. A neighbour said, \u2018Just try Mekaar\u2019.\nAt the time I even asked, what is Mekaar?\u201d said Utari.<\/p>\n<p>Starting with a PNM Mekaar financing of Rp 2 million in 2019 \u2014 Rp 1\nmillion for a second-hand sewing machine and the rest for materials \u2014\nUtari now runs a souvenir bag business receiving orders from across the\nregions, and has even put both her children through university.<\/p>\n<p>Seven years on, her loan has grown to Rp 8 million, and she has\ncreated jobs for four seamstresses in her neighbourhood. Five family\nbreadwinners now work shoulder to shoulder in production, proving that\nempowering one woman can drive the economy around her.<\/p>\n<p>PNM President Director Kindaris witnessed first-hand Utari\u2019s struggle\nas a housewife who rose from nothing and is now an independent\nentrepreneur. Kindaris stressed that this is the true meaning of PNM\u2019s\nempowerment mission.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGrowth is not merely about numbers, but about more pre-prosperous\nwomen having the chance to rise, run businesses, and improve their\nfamilies\u2019 lives. Utari is living proof that capital delivered in the\nright way not only changes one person\u2019s life, but also opens\nopportunities for those around her,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Utari\u2019s story reflects the real impact of the PNM Mekaar programme,\nwhich by 2026 had served more than 23 million customers across 36\nprovinces. Of these, 74 per cent reported increased income and 90 per\ncent felt the impact of financial independence after joining.<\/p>\n<p>Utari experienced how PNM Mekaar is not merely a lender, but an\nempowerment partner providing marketing training, product strengthening,\nand digital literacy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNever stop working and praying, and manage your finances well,\u201d was\nUtari\u2019s message to fellow entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<p>A simple message from a woman who once stood at the lowest point of\nher life, but has now proven that the courage to start, no matter how\nsmall, is the first step towards change.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pnm-mekaar-helps-seamstress-support-five-families-with-a-single-sewing-machine-1784991094",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}