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Malasari is a resident of Padang Sikabu Village in the West Aceh District. She is an owner of a small cake shop business. Malasari lives in a modest house with her mother and has a fondness for her motorbike, which has been a loyal companion for the past eight years. This motorbike is equipped with special auxiliary wheels to accommodate her needs.
Eight years ago, Malasari was involved in an accident that resulted in the amputation of one of her legs due to the severe injuries she sustained at that time.
“For six years following the accident, I could only lie there helplessly. I lost my spirit, my confidence, and eventually felt despaired, wondering what the point was of living uselessly like this,” Malasari recalled.
She shared that it wasn’t until she experienced a turning point that she regained her enthusiasm for life. Over the past two years, she started a small business motivated by the desire not to burden her only parent, her aging mother.
“Fortunately, I have received a lot of unexpected help and support. I received a customised motorbike from the West Aceh social service, and my business has reached its current point thanks to the assistance from PT KTS,” she said.
Malasari, with her passion and talent for baking, decided to try her luck by selling cakes using makeshift equipment and limited capital. She sells her cakes to local shops in her village.
Despite the modest profits, she remains grateful as the business helps cover her daily food needs with her mother.
Because of this proximity, PT Karya Tanah Subur (KTS), a palm oil company operating in West Aceh has been touched by Malasari’s determination to improve her situation despite her limitations.
“PT KTS is committed to corporate social responsibility by providing guidance and assistance to enhance Malasari’s productivity in her business,” stated Ashar Khoirurozi, CSR Assistant at PT KTS, during his visit to Malasari at her home.
He further mentioned that, in response to Malasari’s specific request, PT KTS provided various goods and tools to support her cake business. This included modern equipment such as ovens, mixers, blenders, and more, aimed at improving the efficiency of her cake production.
“Ashar concluded by noting that Malasari’s determination and desire to succeed serve as an inspiration, demonstrating that with boundless enthusiasm, we can overcome challenges.”
Malasari and her mother are grateful for the attention and assistance they have received. She shared that, thanks to the support from PT KTS, they are now able to produce more cakes and a variety of other treats, which has significantly increased their income.
“In the past, I could only produce 100 cakes a day, but now, I can produce up to 400 cakes a day. I don’t just sell them to local stalls anymore; many people now place direct orders for special occasions in the village, and I receive a flood of requests,” said Malasari.
Riduan Manik, the Community Development Area Manager for Aceh, who has been monitoring Malasari’s progress, confirmed that they are now turning down many cake orders. This is not due to a lack of desire to take on more work, but rather because of limited manpower—as there are only two of them managing the hundreds of cakes produced each day.
“We are proud to witness Malasari’s determination and the support she receives from her mother. We hope that Malasari can serve as an inspiration for all fighters out there who face their own challenges in pursuing their dreams,” said Riduan.
PT KTS, a subsidiary of PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro), is committed not only to promoting sustainable business practices but also to improve the welfare of the surrounding community, which is in line with the company’s motto “Prosper With the Nations.”
Source: Harian Rakyat Aceh
