The involvement of the companions

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 65 views

The Effectiveness of the Family Hope Program (PKH) Assistance in Empowering the Poor in Tanjung Beringin Village

Introduction

The Family Hope Program (PKH) is a conditional cash assistance program initiated by the Indonesian government in 2007 to improve the living standards of the poor. The program focuses on aspects of education, health, and welfare of children, with the goal of empowering the poor and vulnerable communities. In Tanjung Beringin Village, Sumbul District, Dairi Regency, the PKH program has been implemented to support the local community in improving their welfare. However, the program faces several challenges, including the imbalance in the number of PKH companions with a large number of beneficiaries.

Background

The PKH program is a crucial initiative in Indonesia's efforts to reduce poverty and improve the living standards of the poor. The program provides financial assistance to eligible families, with the condition that they must meet certain requirements, such as ensuring their children attend school and receive regular health check-ups. The program's success depends on the role of intensive and sustainable companions, who act as facilitators, mediators, and advocates for beneficiaries.

In Tanjung Beringin Village, the PKH program has been implemented to support the local community in improving their welfare. However, the program faces several challenges, including the imbalance in the number of PKH companions with a large number of beneficiaries. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of PKH assistance in empowering the poor in Tanjung Beringin Village.

Methodology

This study uses a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through interviews, direct observations, and documentation. The informant was chosen by purposive sampling, involving PKH companions, beneficiaries, and other related parties. The data obtained is then analyzed interactively based on the aspects that have been determined.

Results

The results showed that PKH assistance in Tanjung Beringin Village was quite effective. The assistants have been able to carry out their roles as facilitators, mediators, and advocates. As facilitators, they play an active role in the process of socialization, assistance, and distribution of PKH funds. Despite the limited facilities available, the companions are still able to carry out their duties well.

In the role of a mediator, PKH's companion becomes a bridge for beneficiaries with a variety of available resources, both formal and informal. They help beneficiaries access the information and services needed to improve their welfare. As an advocate, PKH's companions play an important role in encouraging and motivating beneficiaries, especially pregnant women, to meet their commitments in the health sector, such as conducting routine pregnancy examinations and immunization.

Factors Supporting the Effectiveness of PKH Assistance

Several factors support the effectiveness of PKH assistance in Tanjung Beringin Village:

The involvement of the companions: PKH assistants in Tanjung Beringin Village have a strong commitment and high dedication in helping beneficiaries. They understand the condition of the local community and are able to build positive relationships with beneficiaries.
Support from related parties: Village governments and other related institutions provide support for the PKH program and the role of the assistants. This helps the companions in carrying out their duties optimally.
Awareness of beneficiaries: Over time, PKH beneficiaries in Tanjung Beringin Village increasingly understand the importance of this program and the role of the assistants. They actively participate in activities organized by the companion and show high interest to improve their welfare.

Obstacles Faced by PKH Companions

Several obstacles are faced by PKH companions in Tanjung Beringin Village:

The number of unbalanced companions: PKH companion ratio with unbalanced beneficiaries is a burden for the companions. They must handle many beneficiaries with limited time and resources.
Limitations of facilities: Available facilities for PKH companions are still minimal. Lack of facilities and resources can inhibit the effectiveness of assistance and achievement of program objectives.
Lack of knowledge and skills: Some PKH companions do not have adequate knowledge and skills to carry out their duties optimally. This requires efforts to increase the capacity of assistants through training and professional development.

Conclusion

Overall, the effectiveness of PKH assistance in Tanjung Beringin Village can be said to be good. The assistants have carried out their role as facilitators, mediators, and advocates well, although there are still some obstacles that need to be handled. To increase the effectiveness of PKH assistance in the future, efforts are needed to overcome existing obstacles, such as increasing the number of companions, providing adequate facilities, and increasing the knowledge and skills of the companions.

In addition, it is important to build close synergy and collaboration between the assistants, the village government, and other related institutions. With good cooperation, it is hoped that the PKH program can achieve its goals to improve the standard of living of the poor and empower them to achieve independence.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase the number of PKH companions: To address the imbalance in the number of PKH companions with a large number of beneficiaries, it is recommended to increase the number of companions to ensure that each beneficiary receives adequate support and assistance.
Provide adequate facilities: To overcome the limitations of facilities, it is recommended to provide adequate facilities and resources to support the PKH program and the role of the assistants.
Increase the knowledge and skills of PKH companions: To address the lack of knowledge and skills of some PKH companions, it is recommended to provide training and professional development opportunities to increase their capacity and effectiveness.

By implementing these recommendations, it is hoped that the PKH program can achieve its goals to improve the standard of living of the poor and empower them to achieve independence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Family Hope Program (PKH) in Tanjung Beringin Village

Q: What is the Family Hope Program (PKH)?

A: The Family Hope Program (PKH) is a conditional cash assistance program initiated by the Indonesian government in 2007 to improve the living standards of the poor. The program focuses on aspects of education, health, and welfare of children.

Q: What are the goals of the PKH program?

A: The goals of the PKH program are to improve the living standards of the poor, empower them to achieve independence, and reduce poverty.

Q: How does the PKH program work?

A: The PKH program provides financial assistance to eligible families, with the condition that they must meet certain requirements, such as ensuring their children attend school and receive regular health check-ups.

Q: What is the role of PKH companions in the program?

A: PKH companions play a crucial role in the program as facilitators, mediators, and advocates for beneficiaries. They help beneficiaries access information and services needed to improve their welfare.

Q: What are the challenges faced by PKH companions in Tanjung Beringin Village?

A: PKH companions in Tanjung Beringin Village face several challenges, including the imbalance in the number of PKH companions with a large number of beneficiaries, limitations of facilities, and lack of knowledge and skills.

Q: How can the effectiveness of PKH assistance be improved?

A: The effectiveness of PKH assistance can be improved by increasing the number of PKH companions, providing adequate facilities, and increasing the knowledge and skills of PKH companions.

Q: What is the importance of building close synergy and collaboration between the assistants, the village government, and other related institutions?

A: Building close synergy and collaboration between the assistants, the village government, and other related institutions is crucial to ensure the success of the PKH program and achieve its goals.

Q: How can the PKH program achieve its goals to improve the standard of living of the poor and empower them to achieve independence?

A: The PKH program can achieve its goals by implementing the recommendations made in this study, such as increasing the number of PKH companions, providing adequate facilities, and increasing the knowledge and skills of PKH companions.

Q: What are the benefits of the PKH program for the beneficiaries?

A: The benefits of the PKH program for the beneficiaries include improved access to education, health, and welfare services, increased income, and improved living standards.

Q: How can the PKH program be sustained in the long term?

A: The PKH program can be sustained in the long term by ensuring that the program is well-funded, that the PKH companions are well-trained and supported, and that the program is regularly evaluated and improved.

Q: What is the role of the community in the PKH program?

A: The community plays a crucial role in the PKH program by providing support and participation in the program. The community can help to identify beneficiaries, provide information and services, and participate in program activities.

Q: How can the PKH program be replicated in other areas?

A: The PKH program can be replicated in other areas by adapting the program to the local context, ensuring that the program is well-funded and well-supported, and that the PKH companions are well-trained and supported.

Q: What are the lessons learned from the PKH program in Tanjung Beringin Village?

A: The lessons learned from the PKH program in Tanjung Beringin Village include the importance of building close synergy and collaboration between the assistants, the village government, and other related institutions, the need to increase the number of PKH companions, and the importance of providing adequate facilities and increasing the knowledge and skills of PKH companions.