SLB Bekasi Students Learn Independence and Break Stigma Through Takjil Stall
JAKARTA – A row of takjil stalls along Jalan Komodo Raya in South Bekasi District, Bekasi City, appears much like any typical Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprise (UMKM) marketplace.
However, at one of the stalls, students from SLB Kembar Karya Pembangunan III Special Education School stand with friendly smiles, serving customers using sign language.
During Ramadhan, the students are being trained in entrepreneurship by selling various food and beverages for breaking the fast. All products offered are made by the students themselves, under teacher supervision.
“All food and beverages sold here are made by the students themselves and of course supervised by teachers,” said Vivi Sukmawati (53), Headmaster of SLB Kembar Karya Pembangunan III, when met by Kompas.com at the location on Thursday (26/2/2026).
This takjil trading programme is a school initiative to eliminate stigma against SLB students. According to Vivi, there remains a perception in society that SLB students are different from ordinary children.
Through this activity, the school wants to demonstrate that students are capable of creating and interacting actively in public spaces.
“This activity (selling) is to eliminate the SLB stigma. So we are showing that SLB children are like this, no different from others,” she said.
This entrepreneurship programme is a inaugural activity and was originally planned to run for approximately two weeks. However, seeing the students’ enthusiasm, the school plans to extend it to a full month during Ramadhan.
Vivi revealed that the takjil stall was initially quiet in terms of customers. However, as time passed, the community began to learn that the vendors were SLB students and showed their support.
“Once they realised that SLB children were selling, they (customers) became very enthusiastic in supporting the children here,” she explained.
Today, many residents deliberately come to purchase whilst also giving encouragement to the students.
Besides training selling skills, this activity also serves as a forum for students to develop communication abilities and the courage to interact with the broader community.
Through direct entrepreneurial experience, the students are expected to be able to create job opportunities for themselves.
“We want them to be able to create their own employment. This is indeed the idea to train the children’s independence,” explained Vivi.
According to her, independence needs to be built whilst still in school, considering that not all companies open wide opportunities for people with disabilities. This situation often makes her anxious whenever she sends off graduated students.
“I want my children to graduate from school and be able to support themselves, because sometimes there are students who come to me after graduation saying, ma’am, what job should I do? That tears at my heart,” said Vivi.