Thanks to Kemensos' ATENSI Programme, Sri Murni Rises and Succeeds in Laundry Business

The life of Sri Murni (50) has been like a wheel that turns. After being struck by the tragedy of her husband’s death, she tried to rise through the empowerment programme initiated by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), Asistensi Rehabilitasi Sosial (ATENSI). Her encounter with ATENSI began when her husband passed away several years ago. She chose to stay temporarily at the Sentra Terpadu Pangudi Luhur (STPL) in Bekasi to simultaneously attend various skills training sessions. This was because she realised she had to continue her life independently. “I have many skills like sewing, but I focused on laundry,” said Sri Murni in a written statement on Tuesday (24/3/2026). In the STPL housing environment, Sri Murni attended training, including laundry skills, which became the turning point in her life. Actually, long before that, she had run a small ironing service and even used a second-hand washing machine to accept laundry from nearby customers. However, the business had not developed. At STPL, she not only received training but also business equipment assistance, including a washing machine and steam iron. This provision was what she brought when she decided to start a new life. Not long after going through that difficult period, Sri Murni found a new life partner. She married a man from Lampung, which became the reason and starting point for her move to Sumatra. From Bekasi, she migrated to Lampung. The skills and equipment assistance from Kemensos became her main capital to start pioneering a laundry business in her husband’s hometown. Her initial journey was not easy. She started on the smallest scale, relying only on the available tools and simple word-of-mouth promotion as well as distributing brochures. Slowly but surely, her business began to be known. Now, Sri Murni is able to rent a kiosk in a strategic location, near the market and a pesantren environment. Her customers continue to grow, from local residents to workers and boarding house occupants. “Alhamdulillah, now I can reach Rp150,000 per day. Hopefully it progresses further, so I can open another branch,” she said. In a day, she can receive dozens of kilograms of laundry. Her income has gradually increased, enough to pay the kiosk rent as well as meet daily needs. The business is now run together with her husband. Meanwhile, her children are starting to carve their own paths, some working outside the area and others living with her in Lampung. “Thank you to President Prabowo for helping with the capital, namely the washing machine. So I have progressed further,” said Sri Murni. This year’s Eid feels different for Sri Murni. She is no longer in the housing complex but in her own business place, the result of a long struggle that she built bit by bit. Sri Murni’s story is proof that through support and empowerment, opportunities to rise are always open. On this Eid occasion, from the business she built herself, Sri Murni can welcome the day of victory with full gratitude and happiness together with her family. Behind the sound of the continuously spinning washing machine, Sri Murni not only cleans clothes but also weaves new hopes for independence and empowerment.