From PNM Mekaar, Anastasya Rises to Support Her Family
NATIONAL INFO - The small steps taken by a mother every day often hold big stories of determination. In Manado, that story comes from Anastasya Sampaleng, a housewife who chose to keep standing amid difficult circumstances.
When her husband, who worked as a construction labourer, fell ill, she had few options but to keep moving. Walking about two kilometres each day, Anastasya sells home-cooked meals to the local community, keeping the kitchen fires burning and her family afloat.
That journey did not start from easy conditions. Previously, she had started a sundry shop business after joining PNM Mekaar, which helped gradually increase the family income. However, when her husband’s health worsened, the business could no longer operate optimally.
She then switched to selling fritters, even having to leave her child at home temporarily to continue trading. From there, she slowly reorganised her steps until she dared to increase her financing ceiling and shift to a food business that now serves as the main support for her family. For Anastasya, every step taken is not just about herself.
“I don’t want to give up, because what I’m fighting for is not just for me, but for my family and my child. Tiredness is certainly there, but I believe that if I keep going, there will be a way,” she said.
From the business run consistently, she began to feel changes: a house slowly being renovated, and her child’s education continuing uninterrupted. This journey serves as a reminder that the courage to persevere often stems from a greater responsibility than oneself.
PNM’s Company Secretary, Dodot Patria Ary, views stories like this as a true reflection of PNM’s empowerment spirit at the grassroots level. “Mother Anastasya’s story shows that behind every small business, there is extraordinary resilience. When women are given the right access and support, they not only manage to survive but also strengthen their families and surroundings,” he said.
This story from Manado is one of many portraits of how perseverance, opportunity, and courage can go hand in hand in building a better life, and PNM ensures it continues to be present to accompany every such journey.