Shopping with Mothers: Helping Women Breadwinners Choose Their Own Family Essentials

Many mothers work every day to meet their families’ needs. Some drive online motorcycle taxis, manage food stalls, sell goods, or work in other informal sectors. Amid various economic challenges, they continue striving so their household needs can be met.

Seeing this situation, PT HMNS and Human Initiative held the Belanja Bareng Ibu program with the theme “Happy Shopping for Empowered Mothers” on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Ciplaz Jatinegara, East Jakarta. The program invited 70 women breadwinners from underprivileged families to choose their own basic necessities for their households.

The program involved 20 female online motorcycle taxi drivers (Ojol Ladies) and 50 mothers of orphaned children under the guidance of Yayasan Mitra Ummat. Other participants worked as food stall attendants, small traders, street performers, and informal sector workers. Each participant was free to choose items according to her family’s needs. Through this approach, every family received assistance that was more relevant to their situation.

The committee opened the activity with participant registration. The event then continued with an opening session, the handover of assistance, an explanation of the shopping mechanism, the shopping process, payment, a sharing session, and a group photo. Throughout the activity, the Human Initiative team accompanied participants so they could shop comfortably.

One participant expressed her gratitude after joining the activity. “Alhamdulillah, thank you to PT HMNS and Human Initiative. I could choose my family’s needs myself. This approach is very helpful because I brought home the items we truly needed.”

This program helps mothers reduce household expenses. They can then use their income for other needs, such as their children’s education and health. PT HMNS and Human Initiative hope this collaboration can reach more families with support that is aligned with their needs.

Through the spirit of Expanding Impact, every step of kindness can reach more families. The collaboration built today is expected to continue expanding benefits for communities in need. Visit solusipeduli.org and take part in this collaboration of kindness to help communities face various challenges in life.