Taj Yasin Awards Scholarships to Five Children at Kasih Mesra Orphanage in Demak

Aulia Putri, one of five scholarship recipients, beamed during Taj Yasin’s visit to Kasih Mesra Orphanage yesterday, not merely because a government official had come calling, but because her long-held dream of pursuing higher education would soon become reality. For Aulia, studying at university had previously existed only in her imagination. As an orphanage resident, tertiary education seemed out of reach.

Aulia plans to pursue studies in either sports science or economics. A student at SMKN 1 Demak, she is keen to study sports because she is a wrestler who has achieved recognition at provincial level. “I was runner-up at the provincial POPDA competition,” Aulia said on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

Aulia and the other scholarship recipients expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “Thank you, Sir Deputy Governor and Ma’am,” she said. Another orphanage resident, Kanaya, also thanked Gus Yasin for his visit to the facility. “Thank you for visiting our orphanage. Thank you, Sir Deputy Governor, for helping us realise our dreams and aspirations,” she said.

Taj Yasin made the scholarship offer following a performance by the orphanage’s hadrah players alongside Nawal Arafah Yasin, Chairwoman of the Central Java TP PKK, who accompanied him on the visit. “Who is in class XII? Do you want to go to university?” Taj Yasin asked. Four children performing hadrah and two others standing in the courtyard responded enthusiastically in unison. “We do, we do,” they said.

“Please note this down; we will work to ensure these children can go to university,” Taj Yasin said.

Taj Yasin stated that despite their limitations, orphanage residents should not lose heart. He cited the example of Prophet Muhammad, the most honoured of all humans, who was tested by the loss of his father whilst still in the womb and lost his mother before reaching childhood. “All of you must have a strong spirit for learning,” he said.

During the visit, Taj Yasin and his wife also broke fast together with the orphanage children and engaged in warm conversation. Meanwhile, Imam Maskur, Head of the Central Java Social Services Department, noted that all orphanage residents receive educational facilities at both public and private schools, and receive additional skills training for their future lives. “Girls are taught sewing or laundry services from BAZNAS, so they can be self-sufficient when grown,” he concluded.

The orphanage operates as a social service under the Central Java Provincial Social Services Department and houses 80 children from Demak Regency and surrounding areas, ranging in age from primary to secondary school level.