SOUTH TANGERANG —-– That afternoon, the aisles of the bookstore were filled with cheerful faces. Dozens of children walked in groups, some holding notebooks, while others gazed at the stationery shelves with sparkling eyes. They were visiting Gramedia and selecting their own school supplies.
A total of 50 orphans and underprivileged children participated in the “Shopping Together with Orphans & the Underprivileged” program organized by UPZDK Permata Bank Syariah at Gramedia World BSD on Sunday (March 15, 2026). This program is part of the distribution of zakat funds and charitable contributions channeled through Dompet Dhuafa.
During the event, each child had the opportunity to shop for school supplies with a budget of Rp400,000. They also received a cash grant of Rp150,000 to help cover their daily needs during Ramadan.
Awaludin Gumbira, Deputy Chair of UPZDK Permata Bank Syariah, said that this activity was not merely about distributing aid, but also aimed to provide a joyful experience for the children.
“We launched this program so that children can feel happiness, especially during the month of Ramadan. We hope this aid can also help them meet their school needs,” he said.
Accompanied by volunteers, the children were free to choose the school supplies they needed, ranging from notebooks and colored pencils to school bags. Some were seen discussing with their companions before taking items from the shelves.
After finishing their shopping, the children were taken to the cashier to make their payments. This simple experience was part of their learning process, while also giving them the opportunity to experience the shopping process firsthand.
The atmosphere grew even warmer as the event continued with entertainment and a verse-completion game. The children’s laughter could be heard throughout the activities before they finally gathered again to receive aid and join in the collective breaking of the fast.
Not only that, Gramedia World BSD also participated by distributing sets of the Qur’an to the participants. It is hoped that this gift will boost the children’s enthusiasm for learning and deepening their understanding of the Qur’an, especially during the month of Ramadan.
Through this program, UPZDK Permata Bank Syariah distributed funds totaling Rp32,350,000. However, beyond the numbers, this initiative brought something equally important: joy, meaningful experiences, and renewed enthusiasm for the children who received them during Ramadan.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported today’s event. Special thanks go to UPZDK Permata Bank Syariah for entrusting us with the company’s zakat, as well as the zakat contributions from its employees and customers. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Gramedia for kindly hosting the event,” said Ahmad Faqih Syarafaddin, General Manager of Resources Mobilization at Dompet Dhuafa.
“We are very happy to see the children so enthusiastic. Their joy is evident on their faces—they simply can’t hide it,” Faqih concluded. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and Photos: Aji Pangestu
Editor: Dhika