SALATIGA, CENTRAL JAVA — The Covid-19 pandemic has caused Kantin Kontainer Dompet Dhuafa in Salatiga to go on hiatus for two years. However, right at the end of 2022, one of the economic empowerment programs initiated by Dompet Dhuafa Central Java has resumed to operate.
Yes, Kantin Kontainer (Container Canteen) is an entrepreneurial scholarship program intended for students who come from underprivileged families. They are entrusted with managing a canteen made of containers. Then, students will get scholarships from the results of the canteen management.
Ideally, the Kantin Kontainer program is managed by 10 students who come from underprivileged families, who have intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit. This is what makes them trusted to manage canteen finances completely.
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“The Kantin Kontainer program will be given to underprivileged students who have not received scholarships in the educational environment where the Kantin Kontainer was established. The location of the Container Canteen can be on campuses in Central Java, in accordance with the agreement with partners,” said Irfan Mahyuddin as the Person in Charge of Economic Empowerment of Dompet Dhuafa Central Java.
Settled at Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Ilmu Pendidikan UIN Salatiga, on Tuesday (23/5/2023), entering lunch hour, the canteen was packed with students. Some students want to fill their stomachs, some others discuss or just chat. Until now, the program has empowered dozens of students, some of whom have benefited as canteen managers and have 12 food product suppliers.
“Canteen assistance from Dompet Dhuafa is both the container and the capital assistance. Then the canteen is managed by our students with certain criteria. Our consumers also finally get facilities for breakfast and lunch. We, representatives from the campus, would like to thank you very much for the assistance in the form of this Container Canteen, it turns out that it is indeed very useful for our students who have enthusiasm and achievements, but are unlucky economically, and can help them continue to be able to study until completion, and be able to support themselves,” said Siti Asdiqoh as Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Education of UIN Salatiga.
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Not only scholarships, but students will also learn about business management, so that their enthusiasm and ability in the entrepreneurship field increase. It is hoped that the benefit recipients, especially these students, will be able to complete their studies with the scholarships they receive, and in the future they can become figures who are not just looking for work but can create jobs armed with the management of the canteen business that has been done.
The Kantin Kontainer UIN Salatiga itself is managed by three selected students and an Ibu Kantin (a helper) who helps. There are a variety of snacks such as fritters, bread, instant noodles, grilled rice, and soto that are ready to be served in the canteen.
Operating from 07.00 AM to 04.00 PM local time, this Kantin Kontainer is able to reach a turnover of around Rp1,500,000/day. Meanwhile, per week, Kantin Kontainer is able to earn a turnover of Rp6,000,000 to Rp7,000,000. This income is able to pay off the payment of the Tuition Fee (UKT) of the students, and can even lead them to become undergraduates.
The positive impact of the existence of Kantin Kontainer Dompet Dhuafa was felt by Ahmad Busro Mustofa, Coordinator as well as administrator of Kantin Kontainer UIN Salatiga.
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“Our warm greetings and gratitude are conveyed to Dompet Dhuafa for the assistance that has been provided. Thank you for your great care and contribution in helping us. The assistance that has been given not only provides material relief, but also gives us new hope and enthusiasm. With this assistance, we feel supported and given the trust to start over and create a better future,” said Busro.
Dompet Dhuafa as an empowerment institution is always committed to assisting the community, especially the underprivileged, to become an empowered society, turning mustahik into muzaki. Dompet Dhuafa certainly needs support from various parties to be able to run and manage Ziswaf funds productively.
“We (Dompet Dhuafa) together with UIN Salatiga feel that the cooperation is really good, because the university is always supportive, so we’re not left to walk by ourselves, but we’re accompanied. There is assistance and other support. That’s why this can work, because I believe some of the contributions are from the university,” said Irfan.
It is hoped that this program can help alleviate the economic needs of students and the underprivileged community, and build the entrepreneurial spirit, thereby improving the economy to meet daily life needs. The Kantin Kontainer program can also be applied in bus terminals, hospitals, and also other prospective places with the aim of helping empower the underprivileged, both students and public in general in the field of entrepreneurship. (Dompet Dhuafa/Anndini)