SERANG, BANTEN – The cheerful voices of children echoed in the courtyard of Madrasah Diniyah Takmiliyah Awaliyah (MDTA) Al-Khairiyah, Tegalsari, Walantaka, Serang City. The students’ cheerful faces could be seen as they entered and sat in their new, clean, and comfortable classrooms. But behind those smiles, there was a long story full of struggles before the school renovation process was finally realized.
For years, MDTA Al-Khairiyah students studied under threat. The leaking roof seemed ready to collapse when hit by rain, the floor cracked at every step, and the windows were broken open by the scurrying wind. Tables and chairs are rotted by termites, as if endlessly gnawing at hope. Meanwhile, the blackboard is no longer useful. However, the spirit of the children never died, even though danger often threatened.
Now, on Thursday (12/12/2024), the classrooms are standing strong with intact roofs and more adequate learning facilities. This dream was realized thanks to the kindness of Matahari’s customers who donate in every transaction.
The madrassa building, which was almost collapsed, is now standing strong thanks to donations from Matahari customers. The kindness funds were channeled through Dompet Dhuafa. As a partner of kindness, Dompet Dhuafa successfully renovated the non-formal school in Serang City.
Rosita, who has been a teacher for 14 years and the head of MDTA Al Khairiyah for 3 years, remembers those difficult times. How she struggled to find help.
“For a long time, no one cared. I have gone everywhere, no one cares. Because I feel sorry for them. Instead of children playing gadgets, so I (thought), even though the madrasah is bad, I still take (them) to school,” she said with a trembling voice.
Rosita also shared how fear and anxiety haunted the students and parents of MDTA Al Khairiyah.
“Mom! If it rains, just take a vacation, I’m afraid it will fall,” she added, imitating what one of the students said to her.
“Teacher! My child doesn’t want to go to school yet. It hasn’t been built yet,” she said again imitating one of the student guardians.
“Then my heart is sad. God, where did you build this school, so I feel sad and sad,” continued Rosita.
Now the roofs of the school are intact, the floors are no longer fragile, and the children can study comfortably. This assistance is one of the implementation of the program distribution of donations from Matahari customers throughout Indonesia during Ramadan 1445 H (February-April 2024).
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PT Matahari Department Store Tbk (Matahari) once again held Customer Donation Program which is a routine activity of Matahari. This program provides an opportunity for Matahari’s customers to contribute in providing assistance in the fields of health and education for children in Indonesia. In the Customer Donation Program for Ramadan 1445 Hijri period in February-April 2024, Matahari collaborates with Dompet Dhuafa.
Athar Ibrahim Khalaffaith (11), one of the students of MDTA Al-Khairiyah who is currently in grade 4, shared how he has been studying uncomfortably. However, his enthusiasm to deepen Islam was able to overcome his worries.
“Previously, the school was about to collapse, and many of the windows were broken, and many of the tables were damaged. Now that the madrasa is in good condition and nothing is broken, it’s even more exciting to study here,” said Athar.
“I’m a bit anxious, afraid that it might collapse, so I’m less focused on studying. There was a leak when I was in first grade and here (pointing to the room used by class 4), when it was raining heavily and it leaked,” Athar recalled while pointing to one of the rooms that once witnessed their struggle.
Matahari and Dompet Dhuafa also renovated the toilets that were previously only used as a storage area for goods, because they did not have adequate drains. After the renovation of the school, the toilet can be used by teachers and students.
With donations from Matahari customers, Dompet Dhuafa managed to renovate the classrooms of MDTA Al Khairiyah. In addition, toilets that could not be used in the past were also renovated. During this time, MDTA Al Khairiyah students had difficulty accessing toilets and clean water. They used to go to people’s houses.
“I’m really happy, so the school is getting more enthusiastic, and it’s getting more exciting too. My friends also said they are more enthusiastic about learning,” said Athar with a beaming face.
“Now we can do it, before we couldn’t because we didn’t have a bathroom, it was still dirty. The bathroom used to be a storeroom, but now I can urinate. It’s clean now,” said Athar enthusiastically.
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa Invites Vocational School Students to Attend GIIAS 2023 for Education Day
The school renovation process took a month and a half. The construction began with the cooperation of the surrounding community.
“During the construction process, we received support from the locals and the students’ guardians for our madrasa. Hopefully what has been donated to our madrasa, Allah can repay it,” said Rosita.
“First, we worked together to bring down the roof tiles, because there were only six workers, but there were many people, so the work was easier and lighter. They built this madrasa with mutual cooperation,” she added.
This new spirit is not only felt by the children, but also the teachers and local residents. Through this collaboration, MDTA Al-Khairiyah teachers also received a laptop to support the school’s operational needs.
Rosita could not hide her pride. For her, this madrasah is a place that not only teaches religion, but also instills enthusiasm and dreams.\
Rosita expressed her gratitude to Dompet Dhuafa and the Matahari Customer Donation Program. Because thanks to this program and cooperation, MDTA Al Khairiyah can be renovated. Rosita feels proud, because her school can now be used comfortably.
“Alhamdulillah, I am now proud and thankful to Dompet Dhuafa, with the Matahari Customer Donation Program, which has built our madrasah. What has stood like this is great, before it was about to collapse here and there, now it is shiny and can be used by my students,” added Rosita.
Now, MDTA Al-Khairiyah is no longer a building haunted by worries. It is here that new hope grows, amongst the children’s joyful laughter and the dreams that are beginning to be realized. As Rosita says, “Hopefully the knowledge in this madrasah can be useful for the children and the surrounding community”.
The long struggle finally paid off. The madrassa, which once almost collapsed, now stands tall as a new hope for a better future. For Athar, Rosita, and all Tegalsari residents, this is not just a building. It is a home for studying, where small dreams begin to blossom. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Anndini Dwi Putri
Editor: Ronna