BEKASI, WEST JAVA —-— During Ramadan, a sense of warmth comes from spending time with family. However, it seems that not everyone can experience this warmth, such as the orphans in orphanages.
This is exactly how Rizka feels as she goes about her daily life at the An-Nuriyyah Qur’an Memorization Orphanage in South Tambun, Bekasi. Amid the busy daily activities at the orphanage and school during Ramadan, a longing for her family that she cannot express lingers in her heart.
As an 8th-grade middle school student, Rizka must divide her time between studying at school and memorizing the Qur’an. Additionally, during the month of Ramadan, she must wake up early for tahajjud prayers and suhoor. Then, in the afternoon, she helps prepare food for breaking the fast. The busyness of these activities presents its own challenges for Rizka when she has to memorize verses to recite.
“During Ramadan, I wake up at 3:30 AM for suhoor together, then perform tahajjud and hajat prayers. After that, I wait for dawn by muroja’ah—memorizing—to be tested after dawn. I also go to school from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM. After that, I rest until the afternoon; after Asr prayer, I help prepare takjil and the area for breaking the fast,” she said.
However, despite the busy Ramadan schedule at the orphanage, Rizka remains grateful and says she enjoys it. Especially when, in between all the activities, guests visit to break the fast together or share Eid gifts.
“Even though I’m spending Ramadan at the orphanage, there’s one moment that stands out the most for me: meeting the guests, especially the donors. Because the donors’ visits during this Ramadan make me feel I’m receiving more love than I get from my parents,” Rizka said with a beaming smile.
The same was true when Dompet Dhuafa met Rizka at the orphanage on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). She smiled upon seeing the gift package labeled ‘Orphan Gift’ in a corner of the orphanage. Her face lit up as she murmured her curiosity about the contents of the gift.
The distribution of the Kado Yatim aid is a charitable collaboration between Dompet Dhuafa and Tokopedia for orphaned children. Rizka was one of the recipients of the Kado Yatim. She expressed her deep emotion and happiness because activities with donors during Ramadan usually involve breaking the fast together.
“I feel happy and touched every time I receive assistance from donors. Especially since this comes in the form of a gift,” she said with a smile.
The “Orphan Gift” contained a set of school supplies and Eid clothes. For Rizka, receiving a gift for Eid is one of the things she desires most. “One of the Eid gifts I need is Eid clothing, in addition to my other necessities,” she explained.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Nur Muhammad Ilyas Azzuhri, a staff member at the An-Nuriyyah Qur’an Memorization Orphanage. He stated that the children are very enthusiastic when visited by donors.
“Alhamdulillah, they are very enthusiastic about the donations from Dompet Dhuafa. Because, indirectly, for them, it’s like feeling the love of their parents through the presence of donors at our orphanage who come to cheer them up,” he said.
Ilyas also stated that Eid gifts are something the children at the orphanage really need. This is because the orphans at the orphanage still face financial constraints even when it comes to their daily needs.
“During this month of Ramadan, what the children really need are Eid clothes. Because these children face financial constraints in their daily lives, even when it comes to school. So, if they can receive Eid clothes and school supplies as well, it will bring them immense joy,” he added.
At the orphanage, a simple box labeled “Orphan Gift” brings smiles and offers solace to the orphans who cannot experience the joy of the holiday with their parents.
Let’s join together to continue spreading kindness, love, and bringing happiness to other orphaned children through Ramadan: Honoring Orphans and the Needy by Providing Iftar Meals & the Best Gifts. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and Photos: Shinta FN, LPM
Editor: Dhika