The Impact of Covid-19 is Truly Felt in All Aspects, This is the Story of Mother Suriyah Surviving in the Midst of the Pandemic

Kapanlagi.com - The year 2020 was welcomed with high optimism to achieve a better life. Unfortunately, that hope shattered when the Covid-19 pandemic struck Indonesia. When the government took the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) to slow down the spread, the community's economy also slowed down.

One by one, small traders' shops had to close because there were no buyers. It's better not to sell today than to suffer losses. However, not all small traders remained idle. Some were able to survive in the midst of the pandemic by utilizing technological advancements.

The food stall is known as Lauk Sambal Bude Ndut. The owner, Mother Suriyah (54), claimed that it remained popular in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, with its revenue even increasing by 30%.+ Located on Jalan Haji Muala, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, Bude Ndut's food stall is actually not much different from other eating places, the difference lies in its marketing strategy.

Every day, Ibu Suriyah diligently promotes her signature dishes, shrimp sambal and squid sambal, on social media. Bude Ndut's Sambal Lauk stall also keeps up with online sales. When customers cannot leave their homes due to the PSBB restrictions, Bude Ndut's sambal is delivered directly to their doorstep.

To support online sales, Ibu Suriyah also utilizes a digital wallet application as a payment method. She admits that the presence of digital wallets makes non-cash transactions easier.

“I feel it is easier and safer to make non-cash transactions, especially during a pandemic like now. Customers don't need to give cash. I also don't need to search for change,” says this mother of three.

Opened five years ago, Ibu Suriyah feels grateful for being familiar with online sales technology and digital wallets before the pandemic. She is also happy to have joined a community initiated by YCAB and DANA that actively encourages the use of technology for economic improvement.

Long before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Ibu Suriyah had already ventured into various food businesses since 1991. Starting from fulfilling orders for the church, selling in front of the school, then catering, and also once opening a warteg in the hospital area. However, due to lack of capital, Mrs. Suriyah continued her business by selling at home by opening a food stall called Lauk Sambel Bude Ndut.

Since her husband's physical condition declined, this food stall has been the main source of income for Mrs. Suriyah's family. Besides being able to meet the daily needs of her family, Mrs. Suriyah is also happy because she can help the people around her. Thanks to the presence of technology, her survival steps become more solid.

Mrs. Suriyah's experience is also in line with DANA's contribution to fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic. Here, DANA presents the feature of registering warungs as part of the social movement #BelanjadiWarungTetangga initiated by the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop) to encourage the continuous flow of the people's economy amidst the spread of COVID-19.

This movement is a form of solidarity that can be done by the community through the DANA digital wallet application. DANA users can participate by accessing the Siap Siaga COVID-19 mini program, selecting the option 'Register Warung Around You', then registering the name and telephone number of the warung owner, type of business, and the address of their business place, or they can directly visit the following website.

Have you registered the warungs around your place of residence? Come on, be part of DANA users who actively participate in saving the warungs around them and contribute to the national economy.

(kpl/aik)