Danone Indonesia And The Islamic Boarding School Economic Union Plant 5,000 Tree Seeds With Santri

JAKARTA - In celebration of the 2024 National Santri Day which falls today, Danone Indonesia collaborates with the Islamic Boarding School (SEP) Economic Union, Cintawana Tasikmalaya Islamic Boarding School, and the Islamic Boarding School Forum (FPP), holding the 2024 National Santri Day Commemoration Ceremony and planting 5,000 tree seedlings.

This activity was carried out together with 1000 students from the Cintawana Islamic boarding school directly and also attended by 49 other Islamic boarding schools spread across West Java, East Java, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). This activity is part of the sustainable initiative of the Islamic Boarding School (SBP) which was previously launched in August 2024.

The commemoration of the 2024 National Santri Day which took place in Tasikmalaya, West Java was attended by KH Ahmad Sujai, the leader of the Cintawana Islamic Boarding School; KH Irfan Hilmi, Lc., MA Deputy Chairperson of the Cintawana Tasikmalaya Islamic Boarding School Foundation; Ustad Ahmad Tazakka Bonanza from the Islamic Boarding School Economic Union; Cecep Hidayat, Representative of the Islamic Boarding School Forum; Irvan Ramdani, Representative of the Dompet Dhuafa Financial and Investment Institution; and Karyanto Wibowo, Sustainable Development Director of Danone Indonesia;

KH Irfan Hilmi, Lc., MA, Deputy Chairperson of the Cintawana Tasikmalaya Islamic Boarding School Foundation, said that no institution can stand alone, including Islamic boarding schools, so that the Cintawana Islamic Boarding School is open to collaboration with all parties, such as together with SEPT and Danone Indonesia.

"I believe that Danone Indonesia is a company that is very close to the Muslim community in Indonesia and of course also supports our brothers and sisters in Palestine. In addition, collaborative forces such as Sep and the planting of 5000 tree seedlings can be a strong economic support for pesantren. We must also always be optimistic about the future and never give up, like tomorrow there will be an end to the world, we still have to plant trees, that's how important it is to protect and preserve the environment that our children and grandchildren will also feel," he said, in a written statement, Thursday, October 24.

Ustad Ahmad Tazakka Bonanza from the Islamic Boarding School Economics Union appreciated and thanked the Cintawana Islamic Boarding School for allowing his party to participate in celebrating National Santri Day.

"God willing, the partners in collaboration with the SEP are part of a company that actually supports the struggle of Muslims and Islamic boarding schools, such as Danone Indonesia. So, in the context of National Santri Day, let's color our Islamic boarding school with various achievements and jihad by building an economy that is not only successful in the world, but also in the hereafter," added Ustad Ahmad Tazakka.

In addition to involving students in three provinces, this activity was also attended directly by the management of Islamic boarding schools, and the local community. Among them, students from RMI NU Bogor, RMI NU Pasuruan, NU Pasuruan Economic Institution, and administrators of the DIY Economic and Business Association.

The types of trees selected are tree types of fruit plants including mangoes, crystallographic guava, sirsop, durian, kelegkeng, oranges, belimbing, and other fruit plants that are tailored to the needs of each pesantren and consider the characteristics of the location where the pesantren are located. To ensure that plant seeds grow well, Danone Indonesia also provides fertilizer assistance and maintenance costs. Later the trees planted will be monitored for development with the students and pesantren administrators.

On the same occasion, Karyanto Wibowo, Sustainable Development Director of Danone Indonesia, said that Danone Indonesia was very enthusiastic about strengthening cooperation with the NU Islamic Boarding School and RMI Economic Unions. This time, cooperation is realized through education to increase environmental awareness by planting 5000 trees in 50 Islamic boarding schools.

"This activity is expected to contribute to creating a green pesantren and foster enthusiasm for students to love the surrounding environment. In line with the company's mission, One Planet One Health, we believe that human health depends on the health of the earth, so we need to protect the earth, one of which is by planting trees so that in the future it can be beneficial for pesantren, students, and local residents," said Karyanto.

"This tree planting activity is also in line with the green pesantren activities launched by the Ministry of State of the Republic of Indonesia, which encourages environmental sustainability in Islamic boarding schools. This 5,000 tree planting activity is equivalent to a land area of 12.5 Ha and if the plant is properly maintained for the next 10 years, it can contribute to reducing CO2 by 300 tons per year," added Karyanto.

"God willing, our products are halal and thoyib, therefore we also want to contribute to Islamic boarding schools and the surrounding community. On this occasion, we also want to emphasize that Danone Indonesia is in line with the Indonesian government, is committed to opposing all forms of aggression and continuing to help the Palestinian independence struggle, one of which is through providing assistance to the Palestinian embassy which, thank God, is well received," Karyanto added.

This tree seedling planting activity is an expansion of the initiative program of the Islamic Boarding School which was initiated by Danone Indonesia and RMI NU, which aims to educate students in developing sustainable business capabilities, as well as maintaining the welfare of the people and encouraging the strengthening of the pesantren economy in various regions. Previously, Danone Indonesia and RMI NU had also worked together to present MRK drill and sanitation wells in nine Islamic boarding schools in Bogor Regency.

Through environmental education and tree planting, students and administrators of Islamic boarding schools are expected to integrate their business knowledge with concern for nature, as well as foster a sense of responsibility in caring for natural resources around the pesantren.

"Today's activities are the first step that can have a major impact on creating positive changes for nature and communities around us. We hope that this program can also help care for ecosystems and water sources to maintain environmental sustainability and create the welfare of society and the environment in the future," concluded Karyanto.