The Manifestation of Tzu Chi’s Care for the Children of Kamal Muara

Journalist : Anand Yahya, Photographer : Anand Yahya

The students of MI (Islamic Elementary School) Nurul Islam 1 felt happy accepting healthy breakfast gifted by Tzu Chi Foundation in collaboration with TNI - Polri (Indonesian National Armed Forces – Indonesian National Police). Each child received bread and milk as supplementary food to fulfill their nutritional needs in order to achieve a healthy and successful life.

In order to help the children meet their nutritional needs, Tzu Chi’s Healthy Breakfast Program visited the students of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (abbr. MI, term for Islamic Elementary School) Nurul Islam 1 on Wednesday, 19 June 2024. There, Tzu Chi provided 285 healthy breakfast packages consisting of bread and milk for the students. This distribution was attended by Ustad Sahlani (Chairman of Nurul Islam Foundation), Second Sergeant Eko Supriyanto Kamal Muara Babinsa (short term for: Bintara Pembina Desa, lit. “Village Trustee non-commissioned officer), First Police Inspector Adjutant Rusmanto from Kamal Muara Police Station, and also Tzu Chi volunteers along with teachers from MI Nurul Islam 1.

Lisfina, one of the commissioner volunteers from He Qi Angke Community distributed bread and milk to each student whom neatly lined up in front of the classroom. This distribution was also attended by Second Sergeant Eko Supriyanto from Kamal Muara Babinsa, First Police Inspector Adjutant Rusmanto from Kamal Muara Police Station, and also Tzu Chi volunteers along with teachers from MI Nurul Islam 1.

The distribution of bread and milk was organized by class to ensure smooth proceedings. Lisfina along with TNI - Polri members, took turns distributing 295 packages of bread and milk for the students of MI Nurul Islam 1 Kamal Muara.

Second Sergeant Eko Supriyanto from a Babinsa from Koramil (Military Subdistrict Command) 02 Kamal Muara stated that this activity was very beneficial for children from underprivileged families. “Today, at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Nurul Islam on Kamal Muara Street RT (Neighborhood Association) 5, RW (Community Unit) 01 Kamal Muara Sub-District we distribute 285 packages of health breakfast in the form of bread and milk for the students of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Nurul Islam,” explained Sergeant Eko.

Sergeant Eko hoped that the program could boost the students’ immune system and also bring happiness to the children from underprivileged families. “We are very grateful to Tzu Chi for running this program. Hopefully in the future, it can be better and more effective,” said Sergeant Eko while occasionally greeting the students.

Inspector Adjutant Rusmanto greeted the students of MI Nurul Islam and led them in reciting the prayer before eating the distributed bread together. A total of 285 bread and milk packages were distributed to the students of MI Nurul Islam 1.

Tzu Chi volunteers, police officers from Kamal Muara Police Station, Babinsa Koramil 02 Kamal Muara, The Municipal Police Unit from Kamal Muara Sub-District, and teachers took selfies together with the students of MI Nurul Islam 1 after receiving bread and milk.

In addition to Sergeant Eko, Ustad Sahlani also expressed his gratitude and was deeply moved by Tzu Chi’s continuous support for the residents of Kamal Muara since 2018, from continuing the construction of Jami Al Huda Mosque, rebuilding uninhabitable houses from RW (Community Unit) 01 to RW 04, construction of MI Nurul Islam 1 school building, and the construction of Nurul Bahar Mosque at RW 4, Kamal Muara Sub-District.

“I am very grateful for the assistance provided, especially for this place of worship. Many people from Kamal Muara, RW 1 to RW 4, as well as from Cengkareng, come to this mosque for Friday prayers,” Sahlani remarked with a happy expression.

The beginning of Tzu Chi’s aid in Kamal Muara was to resume the construction of Al Huda which had been halted for 7 years. (Top photo) the condition of the mosque interior before the construction was resumed. (Bottom photo) the condition of the mosque interior looking beautiful and tidy after the construction was resumed by Tzu Chi Foundation.

Sahlani and the residents of Kamal Muara hoped that the threads of fate that had been established well continue for a long time. “I really admire Tzu Chi for selflessly helping the residents of Kamal Muara. I am proud that Tzu Chi has shown attention for the students of MI Nurul Islam by providing bread and milk,” expressed Sahlani while feeling touched.

Translator: Putri (Tzu Chi Palembang)