“BERISI” Helps Santri in West Lombok

"BERISI" Helps Santri Affected in West Lombok (photo: doc / ACT)

Lombok, MINA – The Rice Program for Indonesian Santri (BERISI) presented for Santri (Students of Boarding School) Al Rahman Islamic Boarding School in Medas Village, Gunung Sari Village, Gunung Sari District, West Lombok, NTB. After the earthquake happened in Lombok in August 2018, the boarding school freed up the cost of education for its students.

The Islamic boarding school which was founded by a couple, Sagirudin and Zaenab, has 140 santri. A total of 55 santri at the tsanawiyah level and 85 others took madrasa education.

Sagirudin does not charge any fees to his students. Before an earthquake hit Lombok, madrasa students were charged monthly tuition fees of Rp 50,000.

“After the earthquake, the economic condition of students’ parents were completely lacking, so they were no longer charged. Now, for clothing and food needs, my wife, and I must try to find it. Sometimes, there are benefactors who stop their aids. If it’s not there, I have to try to look for daily expenses, “Sagirudin said as quoted from ACTNews on Sunday.

From 40 santri, 17 students who came from outside of Gunung Sari sub-district boarded at the pesantren, while other students who live near boarding schools choose to stay at home.

The Head of NTB Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) Muhammad Alfian came and handed over rice directly to the administrators and students of the Al Rahman Islamic Boarding School.

Alfian explained the boarding school was one of the Islamic boarding schools in accordance with criteria of “BERISI” program.

“The students at Al Rahman Islamic Boarding School are free of charge, the pesantren facilities are still simple. Students still live in simple huts. They generally come from underprivileged families from various regions in NTB, “Alfian said.

Since it was launched on October 22, 2019, BERISI program has distributed up to 55 tons of rice to various pesantren in Indonesia.

Tens of tons of rice are intended to meet the food of students, especially those who study in rural pesantren in the regions. The distribution of rice reaches 22 provinces covering 51 cities or districts.

Until now, ACT continues to invite the generous community to help the students through BERISI program in various circles. Generous friends can donate directly through the indonesiadermawan.id link. Thus, this collaboration becomes a positive good chain that has a big impact on those in need. (T/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)