Jakarta. State-owned sharia bank BSI recently held a charity event for 5,000 orphans and underprivileged kids across Indonesia.

BSI held the charity activities in nine locations, with Aceh Tamiang being the focal point. Aceh Tamiang is currently undergoing its post-disaster recovery. The charity also suits the Ramadan mood as the month is synonymous with sharing and helping others.

In Aceh Tamiang, the orphans received bags of school supplies and Ramadan assistance.

"Education is a vital foundation for Indonesia's future. Through this charity event, we want to bring happiness and encourage children to continue learning and achieve their dreams," BSI President Director Anggoro Eko Cahyo was quoted as saying in a press statement.

Similar charity events also took place in Medan, Palembang, Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya, Makassar, and Kalimantan.

This charity program is part of BSI Berbagi.

The country's largest Islamic bank has been hosting this program regularly since its establishment in 2021. This year marks its fifth edition and also BSI's fifth anniversary.

BSI also reported a 20% increase from last year's beneficiaries, which totaled 4,444 kids. The bank also donated copies of the holy book Quran to various Islamic boarding schools across Indonesia.

For BSI, Ramadan is not just a time for worship, but also an opportunity to strengthen social awareness. The bank also facilitates those wishing to share through digital services on the BYOND by BSI app, including the Orphan Donation and THR Sharing features. In the first two weeks of Ramadan, BSI reported a 14% increase in zakat, infaq, sedekah, and waqf transactions.

There is also the BSI Scholarship program that helps expand access to education.

To date, BSI has granted over 10,000 scholarships to high-achieving students from underprivileged families in various regions.