SEMARANG, CENTRAL JAVA — Through its Central Java branch, Dompet Dhuafa presents a routine food sharing program in the “Traktir Makan Saudaraamu” (TMS) program. The services of the program reach the nutritional needs of the elderly, orphans, and the poor. The program, which began on Friday, August 30, 2024, which distributed 300 ready-to-eat food packages, also targeted prisoners at the Semarang Class IIA Women’s Prison in early September.
The TMS program targets two main groups of beneficiaries. The first target is the general public such as orphans, the elderly, dhuafa pedicab drivers, porters and so on. Then the second is to provide free food for mustahik Dompet Dhuafa who have been recorded as beneficiaries. Because the purpose of Traktir Makan Saudaramu is to provide nutritious food regularly and free of charge for those in need. Of course, the mission is to reduce the dependence of pre-prosperous communities on leftover food and ensure they get decent and nutritious food.
According to the World Bank, a third of Indonesians are eating less due to lack of money during the Covid-19 pandemic. The projection is an additional 5-8 million poor people in 2024. According to field data from Dompet Dhuafa’s Central Java team, they often encounter scavengers and pedicab drivers in Semarang’s Old City area looking for food from the trash. They also often find people eating leftover food that is not fit for consumption.
Zaini Tafrikhan, Branch Manager of Dompet Dhuafa Central Java, stated, “We hope that the Traktir Makan Saudaramu Program can help those who still have difficulties in fulfilling their daily food needs. Because this nutrition is important as a support for community activities, including working to earn a living for the family”.
Collaboration with Class II A Semarang Women’s Prison
Dompet Dhuafa through its Central Java branch also collaborated with Class II A Semarang Women’s Prison to share prepared meals. Prisoners of Correction (WBP) in the prison also played a role in preparing the food. So that the TMS program is also part of their coaching program.
Rini, Head of WBP Development at LPP Class II A Semarang, said, “We do various coaching activities. Including making handicrafts and cooking skills. We are happy to collaborate with Dompet Dhuafa for this program. We hope that the community will see that WBP can also work and contribute positively in their daily lives.”
This collaboration is proof of collaboration between social institutions and correctional agencies in spreading kindness and helping those in need. Because by collaborating, even the smallest kindness will have a wide impact.
Yusuf Amukti, PIC of Dompet Dhuafa’s Social Service Program, added, “We see that the quality of food served by the WBP is very decent and professional. This collaboration is expected to continue and have a positive impact on the wider community. This is the beginning, and our hope is that more and more will collaborate”.
Let’s bring nutritious food to the poor through the Traktir Makan Saudarmu program from Dompet Dhuafa. Channel your kindness through https://digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/traktirmakansaudaramu.
Text and photo: Dompet Dhuafa Central Java Team
Editor: Taufan YN