BOGOR, WEST JAVA —— Despite the limitations faced by honorary teachers, their enthusiasm and work ethic remain very high. Many of them are able to overcome the limitations of their honorarium/salary. With open hearts and sincerity, they do not look at how much money they earn. Compared to their families’ daily needs, there is certainly a huge gap between their income and expenses. Therefore, beauty product manufacturer PT. Jasmine Natural Kosmetik has partnered with Dompet Dhuafa to help honorary teachers.
The funds collected are the result of purchases made by customers in the form of donations. This collaboration of kindness, titled the “Care for Contract Teachers” program, is a tangible expression of the concern of PT. Jasmine Natural Kosmetik and its customers for those in need. Although they are often viewed as lower-class citizens, PT. Jasmine Natural Kosmetik sees them as “unsung heroes.”
Since June 5, 2022, the Dompet Dhuafa Community Service Institution (LPM) team has been conducting a feasibility study of the beneficiaries through surveys and assessments in accordance with established procedures. Two honorary teachers in Cibeuteung Muara Village, Ciseeng District, Bogor Regency, were declared as beneficiaries of this program. On Friday (June 10, 2022), the LPM team distributed aid in the form of food packages and compensation to both of them.
Strategic Corporate Partnership Dompet Dhuafa Vini Hidayani said that the basic food assistance and compensation given to these honorary teachers was a form of appreciation and concern for honorary teachers who are fighters for education. In addition, it also motivates honorary teachers to remain enthusiastic in providing benefits to the community.
One of the two teachers benefiting from this program is Maria Ulfah (40), a housewife who is a contract teacher at SMP Djojoredjo Ciseeng. She has three children, two of whom are in college and one who is still a toddler. Maria’s husband is only an online motorcycle taxi driver with an uncertain income. Despite her limited time and energy, after returning home from teaching, she opens private classes for children around her house. Not only that, in the evening she teaches Quran recitation in her yard.
Another beneficiary is Saepudin (41), a father of two school-aged children. Every day, Saepudin teaches as a temporary teacher at several private schools in Ciseeng, teaching several subjects. At Bina Insani Islamic Junior High School, he teaches the Quran and Hadith. Then at An-Nafi Integrated Islamic High School, he teaches Indonesian Language and Cultural Arts. At Muhammadiyah Parung High School, he teaches English and Sundanese.
After teaching, Saepudin is active as a secretary at a mosque near his home and also teaches Iqra to children there. Not only that, he is also entrusted with being the Head of Mitra Yatim in Bogor Regency.
“Mr. Saepudin and Mrs. Maria’s dedication to education is truly commendable. They both do not look at the wages/honorarium they receive, but they remain steadfast in their dedication to the education of the nation’s children,” explained Tarmizi Akbar, a member of the LPM Dompet Dhuafa distribution team in the Bogor area. (Dompet Dhuafa / Muthohar)