BOGOR, WEST JAVA — In 1968, the kyai/ulama in Leuwiliang Subdistrict, Bogor Regency, established a school to pave the way for education and proselytization. This was because there was no school at all in Karehkel Village. Until finally there were only two schools in the village, and the second one established was Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) Mathla’ul Anwar – Bojong Abuya.

The madrasah has persevered and produced many generations until now. But in fact, the building of MI Mathla’ul Anwar – Bojong Abuya only underwent renovation of facilities and infrastructure for the first time in 2000, after decades of efforts to “shade” the learners. However, the “shade” is still said to be far from decent.

“Our predecessors established this madrasa here with the dream of maintaining education, educating the next generation, producing pious children and so on. It’s free. Our job is to try to maintain and care for it, the facilities and infrastructure, and continue to provide education about madrasas,” said Iik Atikah, Principal of MI Mathla’ul Anwar – Bojong Abuya.

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Previously, the condition of the physical space of MI Mathla’ul Anwar – Bojong Abuya had a holey roof and blackboard, broken walls and plywood patches on the walls and class dividers. The wooden window frames are brittle and termites, as well as the road divider wall which is not high.

Of course, this condition is very disturbing, especially because the teaching and learning activities in the room are only separated by thin plywood. This situation makes the education process uncomfortable, especially because the sound from the next class is often loud.

“You can imagine, since 1968 until now, it’s been decades, and there was only renovation assistance from the local village in 2000. However, maintaining these facilities and infrastructure is our challenge in maintaining the comfort of teaching and learning activities here. And we think it is the children’s enthusiasm for learning that encourages us,” Iik explained.

They are brothers, Fajar (11) and Subur (10). Both are 4th grade students of MI Mathla’ul Anwar – Bojong Abuya who live between the border of Leuwiliang-Rumpin Subdistrict, namely Kampung Jengkol, Karehkel Village. Their father passed away before they attended MI Mathla’ul Anwar – Bojong Abuya. Now his mother Fajar and Subur, support them as a laundry worker in their village.

His enthusiasm for education and religion at MI Mathla’ul Anwar – Bojong Abuya, shows the meaning of the struggle for education of the next generation must be supported by proper facilities and infrastructure. However, this does not dampen the determination of Fajar and Subur, as well as their friends, to continue studying.

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Until 2024, Dompet Dhuafa through the education program with Bank Jago-Syariah through customer donations, seeks to help bridge to realize the hopes of these educators and learners. The mandate of donations collected for collective goodness is managed through the education program – the Dompet Dhuafa Millennial Build Schools (MBS) movement which is distributed in the form of renovating the MI Mathla’ul Anwar school building / room – Bojong Abuya.

“Since the beginning of 2024, we have channeled this good cooperation to MI Mathla’ul Anwar – Bojong Abuya in Karehkel Village. Although this renovation assistance is not yet perfect, we are making every effort to provide comfort for teaching and learning activities in a decent word. We also thank Jago-Syariah Bank, MBS donors and MI Mathla’ul Anwar, thank God, March began renovation and this July can already be used, “said Hasairi Arnas, Digital Fundrising Dompet Dhuafa, on Wednesday (07/17/2024).

Yes, through the Millennial Build Schools program, Dompet Dhuafa not only provides classroom assistance, but also provides ongoing assistance. Through the Sekolah Guru Indonesia (SGI) education program, Dompet Dhuafa also provides training and mentoring to educators at MI Mathla’ul Anwar – Bojong Abuya.

“Alhamdulillah, we are like receiving this durian collapse, like a dream, getting help like this in the second renovation. New window frames, blackboards, roofs, and many new ones. The boundary wall was originally short, making it dangerous for students because it was very close to the road or passing vehicles,” said Iik.

The portrait of the next generation of the country is on the shoulders of those who are struggling to learn even with classrooms that are far from reasonable. With the spirit of #BersamaUntukSesama, let’s HELP NOW to realize a comfortable learning class for the children of the nation’s next generation! (Dompet Dhuafa)

LET’S GO! BUILD A SCHOOL TOGETHER

Text and photo: Dhika Prabowo
Editor: Dedi Fadlil