Indramayu Regency Becomes Pilot Project for Baznas 'Rumah Terang' Solar Lighting Programme

Indramayu (ANTARA) - The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) has launched its Rumah Terang Baznas programme, a project to bring lighting to homes without access to electricity through the installation of solar panels, with a pilot project in Cikawung Village, Indramayu.

Chairman of Baznas RI Sodik Mudjahid said the Rumah Terang Baznas programme is one of 13 priority programmes focused on poverty alleviation, education, and the welfare of the community.

“Today we are putting it into practice directly in the Indramayu area. And for each package of equipment like this, there are cables, lamps, and a solar cell,” said Sodik in Indramayu, West Java, on Thursday.

Sodik said the programme, with a national target of 452 beneficiary households, will initially be focused in stages on 102 households in Indramayu.

In addition to residents’ homes, the programme in Indramayu also targets one local mosque, bringing the total to 103 points that have now been fitted with environmentally friendly electrical installations.

“And these lamps will last for 10 years, a minimum of 10 years. And this has also been approved by PLN,” said Sodik.

The presence of this assistance programme is expected to deliver tangible impact that the public can see directly, whilst also serving as a reflection of the utilisation of zakat funds collected nationally.

“Earlier we saw the proof, from a dark place to a bright one. And Baznas’s 13 priority programmes are the result of zakat, infak, and sedekah from all muzaki in Indonesia. For the first time in Indramayu, this week it is 103,” he said.

He hopes the programme will have an impact on improving the quality of life of the community in Cikawung Village, Indramayu, now that their area has gained access to proper lighting.

“The hope is that the community becomes smarter, more diligent in studying, especially their children, more spirited in their lives, increasing their worship, increasing their work, so that overall they become more prosperous,” said Sodik.

Meanwhile, Onoh (45), a beneficiary of the programme, expressed gratitude after a long wait of 25 years without lamps.

Before receiving the lamps and solar panels, Onoh lived in darkness. The only source of lighting in his home was a traditional oil lamp.

“Alhamdulillah, sir, I have received lamp assistance. May this be a blessing for me and my family,” said Onoh.