Dwi Emitasari, affectionately known as Mrs. Dwi (40 years old), is a graduate of the culinary Baking Class organized by Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM) together with PT Insight Investments Management (INSIGHT) in 2020. This vocational empowerment program aligns directly with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: No Poverty.

Currently, Mrs. Dwi lives with her parents and family in a home in Cempaka Warna. A hardworking mother, she is raising three children: her eldest is in 11th grade, the second is in 5th grade, and her youngest baby is just nine months old. Meanwhile, her husband works odd jobs to help support the household’s daily expenses.

Mrs. Dwi’s Journey in Earning a Livelihood:

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mrs. Dwi supported her family by operating a school motorcycle shuttle service. Every day, she safely transported four school children across varied time shifts, generating a modest monthly income of around IDR 800,000. Earlier in 2015, she had also opened a home burger and takoyaki stand. However, recurrent health issues forced her to close the food stall two years ago.

When the pandemic struck and schools suspended in-person attendance, Mrs. Dwi lost all transportation earnings. Throughout this precarious period, the family’s basic living costs were carried by her mother. Fortunately, her school-age children received the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) educational subsidy, allowing them to pursue their schooling without interruption.

The Beginning of Her Culinary Venture:

Determined to enhance her cooking expertise, Mrs. Dwi enrolled in the hands-on culinary workshop organized by YIIM and INSIGHT at Wisma Maros. Through the training, she acquired new culinary knowledge and professional recipes that she promptly added as signature dishes in her mother’s established home catering service.

Following her training, Mrs. Dwi was awarded business starter assistance in the form of a commercial cooking stove from YIIM and INSIGHT. She received the grant with profound gratitude, as it significantly boosted their food preparation capacity and kitchen efficiency.

Her mother’s catering business has operated for a long time. Whenever catering requests arrive, Mrs. Dwi actively participates—from food preparation and cooking to customer marketing. Menu prices start from IDR 25,000 per meal box, customized flexibly according to client needs and budgets. The largest single catering order successfully fulfilled by Mrs. Dwi and her mother reached an impressive 1,000 portions.

Beyond catering, Mrs. Dwi previously assisted her father with his evening food stall near Wisma Maros. Her father serves his renowned specialty, "Nasi Goreng Mangkok by Pakde Mino," a venture he has operated for 40 years. However, since the arrival of her infant, Mrs. Dwi has paused working at the evening stall to prioritize infant care and home catering.

Looking ahead, Mrs. Dwi envisions taking over the family catering business, scaling operations, and securing regular catering contracts with corporate offices.

Mrs. Dwi concluded her reflections by expressing her heartfelt appreciation and hope for YIIM and INSIGHT:

"May YIIM and INSIGHT continue expanding their humanitarian assistance and consistently deliver vocational training and education to empower communities in need."

Salam Inspirasi!