Yogyakarta- Institute for Research and Community Service UGM in cooperation with National Agency for Amil Zakat (Baznas) held the fasting-break together with a thousand of orphans and poor people from 31 orphanages in Yogyakarta and Central Java. This event was held at Bokoharjo Village, Prambanan Sub-district, Sleman, Friday afternoon (19/8). Gifts were also presented to each child, done symbolically by UGM, Baznas and Sleman Regency.
Division Head of KKN LPPM UGM management, Dr Djoko Prastowo, M.Si., said that the event aims to enhance relationship and togetherness in Ramadhan. “Because the Ramadhan is the momentum for us to share with others to achieve piety,” Djoko said in his speech.
Sleman Regent, Drs. Sri Purnomo, M.Si., in his welcoming speech read by Head of Manpower and Social Agency of Sleman Regency, Drs. Kriswanto, M.Sc., said that the event for the orphans gives positive impact to the children, particularly to build better spirituality. “Most orphans living in orphanages are from disadvantaged families with wrong parenting, so they need good parenting, hugs, and warmth,” the Regent said.
Meanwhile, Drs. Muzafan Daud, representative of Baznas, said that the event with 1,000 orphans is part a series done simultaneously in 11 big cities in Indonesia, involving 11 thousand orphans from Jakarta, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Medan, Padang, Banjarmasin, Pekanbaru, Bali and Manado.
He added that the event could encourage the community to be more enthusiastic to share with disadvantaged people. It is expected that the similar event is not only held in Ramadan but also in daily life through awareness to give alms.