In Serdang Bedagai, emotions were high on July 30, 2025, as Aslina shared her transformation story at the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Cempedak Lobang, Sei Rampah. She expressed her gratitude for the program that changed her life, standing alongside regional leaders like Hasan Nasbi and North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution. Aslina tearfully thanked the President for the positive impact on her daily life.
Before joining the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, Aslina was a full-time homemaker with no income while her husband earned limited wages as a laborer. Now, she contributes to preparing healthy meals for school children in her community, bringing new hope to her life. Normawati, another participant, mentioned how the opportunity to earn extra income close to home has been invaluable in supporting her family, including her school-going children who benefit from the MBG program’s nutritious meals.
The program’s impact goes beyond housewives, as shown through 21-year-old Shinta Ramadana. Previously unemployed, she now works in food preparation with great enthusiasm, embodying the spirit of empowerment fostered by the MBG Program. These women, including Aslina, Norma, and Shinta, are among many individuals nationwide who have found employment and renewed hope through the initiative, according to data from the National Nutrition Agency.
The MBG Program goes beyond providing nutritious meals, symbolizing empowerment and transformation. It has turned kitchens into spaces of hope, where individuals find opportunities for meaningful work and personal growth. Through stories like those of Aslina and Norma, the program showcases how empowerment and transformation can flourish in communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
