SERANG, BANTEN —-— A total of 1,200 runners from various regions across Indonesia gathered at the Banten Provincial Government Centre (KP3B) in Serang on Sunday (28 June 2026) for the charity run Run For Vision 2026: 5K Charity Run, themed “Level Up Your Vision”. Every step they took was not merely a form of exercise, but a collective effort that yielded immediate, tangible results: the entire proceeds from participant ticket sales were fully allocated to fund 263 free cataract operations and 1,000 pairs of free spectacles for the underprivileged.
This event, initiated by the Achmad Wardi BWI-DD Eye Hospital, also serves as a moment of reflection on Dompet Dhuafa’s 33-year journey of service to the community. More than just a celebration, this event demonstrated how the instrument of productive waqf—the result of a collaboration between the Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI) and Dompet Dhuafa—can be translated into a contemporary social movement that has a direct impact on humanity.
The flag-off ceremony was jointly led by the Deputy Mayor of Serang, Nur Agis Aulia; the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Dompet Dhuafa Supervisory Board member, Yayat Supriatna; and the management of the Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation.
The presence of these figures at the start line was by no means coincidental. They represent a vast network of collaboration, ranging from central and local government, Dompet Dhuafa’s internal networks, zakat and philanthropic institutions, Islamic civil society organisations, the medical profession, the running community, to the corporate sector—all united by a single goal of compassion.
Yayat Supriatna, a member of Dompet Dhuafa’s Supervisory Board, expressed his gratitude for the realisation of this major collaboration. He commended the Achmad Wardi BWI-DD Eye Hospital for successfully bringing together various philanthropic elements to make a tangible impact on the eradication of blindness. For him, nothing could be more meaningful in Dompet Dhuafa’s 33 years of service than witnessing hundreds of underprivileged brothers and sisters regain their ability to see the world clearly.
In the same vein, the Chief Executive of the Achmad Wardi BWI-DD Eye Hospital, Dr Pradipta Suarsyaf, assured that his medical team was ready to fulfil the runners’ trust. In his view, the spirit of the 1,200 participants on the KP3B track would be directly translated into tangible medical action in the operating theatre, to restore sight to those in need.
The Chairman of PB Mathla’ul Anwar, Dr H. Jazuli Juwaini, M.A., also expressed his appreciation. He believes that the collaboration initiated by Dompet Dhuafa, BWI and various philanthropic organisations through this hospital will multiply the benefits for the wider community.
The 63-Year-Old Grandfather Who Never Stops Running
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the running track, one figure caught everyone’s attention: a man named Restu Didik (63), better known as Didik Runner. This viral grandad holds the runstreak record—running at least 1.6 km every day without a break—which has now spanned more than 1,890 days since September 2017. That day, he once again completed the 5K route alongside thousands of other runners.
Didik’s physical consistency at the age of 63 is not merely a personal achievement. For many participants, his presence serves as a simple yet powerful reminder: that acts of kindness, no matter how small, when carried out consistently, will ultimately have a significant impact. Just as those thousands of steps that day became a new perspective for hundreds of people.
Read also: Achmad Wardi Eye Hospital: Asia’s First Waqf-Based Eye Hospital
More Than Just Running: Driving the Economy and Fostering Community Spirit
Run For Vision 2026 not only promotes fitness and philanthropy, but also helps to drive the local economy. Dozens of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) filled the refreshment area and creative bazaar throughout the event, turning this occasion into an opportunity for the economic empowerment of the local community.
The legitimacy and scale of this event are further supported by a number of leading Islamic community organisations in Banten, such as PW Muhammadiyah, PW NU, and PB Mathla’ul Anwar, alongside professional medical associations and dozens of corporations from various industrial sectors across the country.
How to Register for Free Cataract Surgery
For underprivileged people in the Banten region and surrounding areas who require medical treatment for cataracts, registration for Free Cataract Surgery can be made via Customer Care on 0813-8383-0313, or by visiting Achmad Wardi BWI-DD Eye Hospital in person at Jl. Taktakan, Lontar Baru Village, Taktakan Sub-district, Serang City. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Bani K/Achmad Wardi Eye Hospital
Editor: Ronna