The Spirit of Ramadan: Baznas Channels Assistance and Financial Literacy to Orphans

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijri is a significant moment for various institutions to enhance their social awareness. In several regions, synergy between the National Zakat Agency (Baznas), local governments, and other partners has resulted in various programmes targeting orphans and the less fortunate, ranging from financial assistance to financial literacy education. In Pacitan, East Java, a collaboration between the Pacitan Regency Baznas and the East Java Province Baznas has brought joy to 1,000 orphans. The distribution of aid, held at the Pacitan Regency Pendopo on Tuesday, is part of a series of Ramadan activities and also commemorates the 281st anniversary of Pacitan Regency. Symbolically, the aid was given to representatives of orphans from the Pacitan, Arjosari, and Pringkuku sub-districts. Meanwhile, the remaining seven sub-districts are scheduled to receive aid in April. The Deputy Regent of Pacitan, Gagarin Sumrambah, attended the event and expressed his appreciation. “This activity is a real manifestation of social concern to alleviate the burden and honour orphans,” he said. He added that the synergy between the local government and Baznas is a concrete form of effort to improve the welfare of the community, especially during this blessed month. The Deputy Chairman II of the East Java Province Baznas, Ahsanul Hadi, hopes that the aid will bring happiness to the orphans in welcoming Eid al-Fitr. “This aid for 1,000 orphans is part of the annual programme of the East Java Baznas, in collaboration with the Baznas of the regencies/cities during Ramadan,” he said. The Chairman of the Pacitan Regency Baznas, Shodiq Sujak, explained that the total aid distributed in the first phase reached more than Rp259 million. The funds come from the collaboration between the Pacitan Baznas, the East Java Province Baznas, and non-civil servant zakat payers. Interestingly, in addition to pocket money, the recipients also received a package of school supplies in the form of bags and stationery, demonstrating attention to the sustainability of their education. A similar spirit is also resonating in Malang. The Financial Services Authority (OJK) Malang is working in synergy with the local Baznas to hold financial literacy programmes targeting a thousand orphans and the less fortunate. The activity, packaged in the “Gebyar Malam Lailatul Qadar” event, aims to equip children with basic financial management skills. “In line with the OJK’s priority of increasing financial literacy and inclusion in vulnerable groups, this activity is expected to be a concrete step to equip children with basic financial management skills that will be beneficial for their future,” said the Head of the OJK Malang, Farid Faletehan. The event, attended by the Mayor of Malang, Wahyu Hidayat, is part of the GERAK Syariah (Gebyar Ramadhan Keuangan Syariah) programme of the OJK Malang. Participants not only received education about the duties and functions of the OJK and simple financial management, but were also introduced to Islamic financial products. The Malang branch of Bank Indonesia also participated by providing education about Cinta, Bangga, Paham Rupiah, while Bank Jatim Syariah introduced products such as Tabungan Santri and Cash Waqf Linked Deposit (CWLD).