Jakarta – On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, a closing ceremony was held for the barista skills internship program. This event was part of a series of social entrepreneurship training programs for citizens protected by the Indonesian Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK RI), organized in collaboration with the Indonesian Inspiring Development Foundation (YIIM), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and LPSK RI.

Previously, this program began with an online social entrepreneurship training on barista and frozen food cooking skills with a total of 46 participants, consisting of 20 barista training participants and 26 frozen food training participants, held on Thursday-Saturday, December 9-11, 2021.

Subsequently, participants were selected to attend offline social entrepreneurship training in barista and frozen food, totaling 30 participants, with 15 participants in each of the barista and frozen food trainings. This was held on Wednesday-Friday, December 15-17, 2021, at the LPSK RI Building, East Jakarta.

The beneficiaries of this program were specifically individuals with backgrounds as survivors and under the protection of LPSK RI for terrorism crimes from various regions such as Bali, Poso, Palu, Jakarta, and Surabaya. This program is in line with and reflects the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) numbers 1, 2, 8, 10, 16, and 17, which have been proclaimed by the government through Presidential Regulation Number 59 of 2017 concerning the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The closing ceremony for this internship was held at the Inspirasi coffee shop, which is also located at the YIIM Office Building, Grand Wijaya Centre Complex Block F/62B, RT 06/RW 01, Pulo Village, Kebayoran Baru District, Jakarta, DKI Jakarta, 12160. The event was attended by Mrs. Dewi Astari, Secretary of the YIIM Board, along with staff members including Achmad Fanani Rosyidi, Ratih Puspita, and Ja’far Rafki. From UNODC Indonesia, Avezia Ariane was present. Furthermore, from LPSK RI, Mrs. Susilaningtias, Vice Chair, was also present along with staff including Tiara Rahmawati and Tyas. Three (3) barista interns were also present.

The three (3) participants who took part in the barista internship program were the best participants selected by the committee during the series of social entrepreneurship training in barista skills, from the online to the offline stage. These interns included Mrs. Ni Wayan Ani from Bali, Mrs. Vivi Normasari from Purwakarta, and Mr. Mufti Ahbal from Sidoarjo.

Before the closing ceremony began, Mr. Hasto Atmojo, Chairperson of LPSK RI, also visited to meet and connect with the barista interns at the Inspirasi Coffee Shop and the YIIM board members and staff.

Mrs. Susilaningtias, in her speech and official closing of the event, stated, “Finally, this barista internship program has concluded. However, this stage is not an end, but rather just the beginning or the first challenge to move on to the next process. I have great hope that these 3 interns can become role models of independence for survivors, victims, or protected citizens of LPSK RI. If this succeeds, then other survivors and victims also have the opportunity to succeed, because this is the first project; those who initiate this are expected to become an example. Do not lose spirit and do not break ties; after this, YIIM and the interns will continue to provide support.”

Mrs. Avezia Ariane stated, “Thank you to the representatives from YIIM and LPSK RI, especially to the interns who I see are very enthusiastic and eager to participate in this program. Here, I represent our Country Manager, Mr. Collie, who apologizes for not being able to attend. This program is one that we initiated since 2021. We hope this program can become a role model for survivors under LPSK RI protection so that they can become more independent.”

Mrs. Dewi Astari, Secretary of the YIIM Board, also stated, “These three (3) barista interns are the best participants from a selection process we conducted throughout the training series, from online to offline. The goal of this program is that we hope participants can immediately start independent businesses in their respective regions and become role models or examples for other survivors.”

Additionally, during the event, the three (3) barista interns also shared their testimonials and expressions of gratitude. One of the interns, Mr. Mufti Ahbal, said, “I express my deepest gratitude to YIIM, LPSK RI, and UNODC, because they have given us the opportunity to gain as much knowledge as possible here. It is very clear that this internship provided us with meaningful knowledge and skills to start our own independent businesses in the future.”

Following the conclusion of the barista internship program, the next and final event was the distribution of business capital assistance to selected participants from the frozen food and barista training.

Salam Inspirasi!