Free Nutritious Meal Benefits for Students, Kristina: “I’m No Longer Hungry”

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Beneficiaries of various government programs from different regions expressed their emotions and pride after being given the opportunity to attend the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD RI) at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Friday, August 14, 2026. They attended to witness President Prabowo Subianto’s state address and share their experiences of the benefits they have received from various government programs.

One of them was Kristina Beno, a sixth-grade elementary school student from Merauke Regency, South Papua, who is a beneficiary of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. She said she was happy and proud to have the opportunity to see President Prabowo in person.

“I feel happy, proud, and touched,” Kristina said. As the daughter of a farming family, Kristina has experienced the benefits of the MBG program in meeting her daily nutritional needs and supporting her studies.

“Thank you, Mr. President. Thanks to your MBG program, I’m no longer hungry,” she said. She also expressed hope that the program would continue.

A similar experience was shared by Citra from Makassar, South Sulawesi, a beneficiary of the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School) program. Citra had previously faced the risk of dropping out of school when she was in fourth grade because she had to help her mother sell goods.

Through the Sekolah Rakyat program, Citra was able to return to school comfortably and develop her talents. In addition to achieving good academic results, she also won second place in a district-level karate competition.

“Thank you, Mr. President, because I can attend the Sekolah Rakyat comfortably and receive MBG meals three times a day,” Citra said.

Meanwhile, Susanah from Bogor, West Java, attended as a beneficiary of the Family Hope Program (PKH) and the Food Assistance Program. The mother of three said meeting the President in person was an experience she had never imagined.

“Alhamdulillah, it still feels like a dream. I was nervous meeting the President in person and seeing him with my own eyes, when usually I only see him on TV,” she said.

Susanah said PKH assistance had helped her family meet their basic needs, including the educational needs of her three children. Amid an uncertain family income, she also earns additional income by making cleaning cloths and working as an MBG program staff member.

She hopes government programs will continue and become increasingly well-targeted so that their benefits can reach people who need assistance.

From Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Margarelitha Rohi also expressed her happiness at having the opportunity to attend the session in person. The person with a disability said she never expected to be selected to attend the state event.

“I feel very happy. Among so many people, I never expected that I would be chosen by the President to come here and attend the ceremony. So it’s not just something I watch on TV; I can see it with my own eyes,” she said.

Margarelitha hopes the government will continue to strengthen its attention to people with disabilities and ensure that assistance programs for people with disabilities remain sustainable.

The stories of Kristina, Citra, Susanah, and Margarelitha illustrate how various government programs have benefited people’s lives, ranging from nutritional support and access to education to social protection and assistance for people with disabilities. Their presence at the Annual Session of the MPR RI provided a memorable experience while reflecting their hope that the benefits of government programs will continue to reach people across Indonesia.