JAKARTA —-— An atmosphere of emotion and joy filled the CIBIS Park Mosque area in South Jakarta on Saturday (March 14, 2026). Accompanied by the distinctive Betawi music known as Tanjidor, the sunny morning weather added to the cheerfulness of the 750 participants heading home to their hometowns. There, Dompet Dhuafa officially held the send-off for the Mudik Kalcer Program (Kampung Halaman Ceria) 1447 Hijri, dispatching 15 buses to destinations across Java and Sumatra.
One of the travelers heading to Wonogiri, Mr. Triatno, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to return home through the Mudik Kalcer program. Together with his wife and beloved children, they boarded a bus bound for Solo, the closest stop to Wonogiri.
“What we’ve been looking forward to most is going home, reuniting with my father and the family, even though my mother passed away last year. Back in the village, I’ll return to farming. I plan to stay for three weeks before returning to Jakarta,” said the Chicken Noodle and Meatball vendor from Ciputat, South Tangerang.
The send-off ceremony was led directly by the Chairman of Dompet Dhuafa’s Board of Directors, Ahmad Juwaini, accompanied by Dompet Dhuafa’s board members and management. The send-off was also attended by partners and collaborators who contributed to the success of this program, including Muhammad Irfan, Head of Sales at D’Besto; Putut Angga Wijaya, Marketing Manager at CIBIS Park; representatives from Piknik Bus Semar Mesem Indonesia; and Dua Belibis.
In his remarks, Ahmad Juwaini stated that Mudik Kalcer is our flagship Ramadan program aimed at helping our fellow citizens carry out the tradition of returning home and celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their beloved families without being hindered by costs.
“This homecoming service is also part of Dompet Dhuafa’s accountability to its donors in striving for the goodness of this Ramadan. May it bring happiness in reconnecting with family members. Dompet Dhuafa is willing to carry out this program every year, but we hope that the travelers will change. May the recipients become donors,” continued Ahmad Juwaini.
This year’s Kalcer Homecoming Program is being rolled out to beneficiaries from underprivileged communities in the Greater Jakarta area. The program is specifically designed for Indonesian citizens of the Islamic faith who face financial constraints but have a strong desire to visit their hometowns.
The primary criteria for recipients of this free bus service include breadwinners in the informal sector, such as: Quran teachers and contract teachers, mosque caretakers, vendors, domestic workers (ART), and casual day laborers.
Prior to departure, participants underwent a rigorous registration and verification process held from February 20 to 28, 2026, to ensure the assistance reaches the intended recipients.
This year’s Mudik Kalcer bus fleet targets various key destinations to reach the homes of travelers, including: Central Java (Purwokerto, Yogyakarta, Solo, and Semarang), East Java (Ponorogo and Surabaya), and Sumatra (Lampung).
To further reinforce the significance of this journey, M. Atiatul Muqtadir, representing Manfaat Mengalir, presented the cash allowance from the free homecoming program to the travelers as a provision to support their holiday celebrations.
“No matter how far one travels in the world, home remains the place one longs for. As someone who lives far from home, I know all too well what it’s like to struggle while away from home. So, with this Mudik Kalcer program, I hope we can help ease that long-suppressed longing,” he concluded.
“We always strive to play an active role and have collaborated with Dompet Dhuafa on charitable initiatives on several occasions. We hope this collaboration continues and that the recipients are satisfied with our efforts. We hope everyone has a smooth journey and celebrates Eid happily,” said Putut Angga Wijaya, Marketing Manager of CIBIS Park.
With this free transportation service, Dompet Dhuafa hopes that travelers can make their journey safely, comfortably, and joyfully until they arrive in the arms of their families. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika
Editor: Dedi Fadlil