Tanjung, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Pondok pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) have now become a power to be reckoned with by many parties. Not only for their large number of santri (students), more than that they become a powerful economic force.
The opportunities are very broad for the Islamic boarding schools to develop their economy because they are the basis of cultural strength that integrates with the community. Thus it has an economic and social impact on the pesantren.
This is in line with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin's aspiration to develop pesantren in Indonesia into centers of economic empowerment. This goal must be in synergy with the function of the pesantren as a place of building santri and da'wah.
Here then, Adaro through its Adaro Santri Welfare Program (PASS) is also actively developing the pesantren economy based on the local wisdom.
Especially in an effort to optimize the potential of pesantren and the local community to be synergized together in some productive business models that are able to provide economic and social impacts.
Adaro provides entrepreneurial assistance to several pesantren in South Kalimantan, which are Adaro's operational areas.
Since 2017, Adaro has provided assistance to six pesantrens, namely Ponpes Raudhatut Thalibin in Tayur village, North Hulu Sungai (HSU); Ponpes Al-Islam in Kambitin Village, Tabalong; Ponpes Miftahul Ulum in Bangkiling Village, Tabalong; Ponpes Nurul Muhibbin Halong, Balangan; and Ponpes Nurul Muhibbin in Barabai, Central Hulu Sungai (HST).
Mentoring begins with assessment as the first step to mapping the condition of pesantren and its business potential.
Then continued with training to strengthen human resources as a leading business sector.
From 2020 until now the business activities carried out consisted of livestock, fisheries, and agriculture.
For the continuity of this program, Adaro encouraged the establishment of an institution called BPUP (Board of Business Management of Pesantren) which consists of Ustadz (teachers) and santri as business drivers.
Adaro has also lofty aspirations to grow new santripreneur, especially in the micro, small, and medium industry sector.
“Alhamdulillah this business activity is a blessing for santri and pesantren as well. Santri gains the knowledge, while the income from the business can be used for the operational costs of the pesantren," said KH Satar, caregiver of Ponpes Miftahul Ulum.
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The Head of Ponpes Raudhatut Thalibin dormitory Ustadz Hasriani said that with the capital assistance from Adaro, the pesantren can develop goat and pangasius fish farming.
"The businesses managed by santri are developing well so that the santri who will finish their education here can also apply the business knowledge they have gained," said Ustadz Hasriani.
In addition, the students can continue the bil hal da'wah(providing welfare to others).
The Islamic boarding school (pondok pesantren) is a place to forge santri or students to have a noble character, honest, tenacious, and disciplined.
The personality of the santri becomes the potential and added value to become an entrepreneur.
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