ASARNews, Lombok – Asal Mula Jati Orphanage, located on Jl Raya Lembar Mataram, Gerung Utara Village, Gerung District, West Lombok Regency, NTB, recently received a visit from the Ksatria volunteer team from Mataram. The purpose of the visit was to build rapport and assess the condition of the orphanage.

In a conversation with the Ksatria team, Herlan, the caretaker of the orphanage, explained that the children they care for are not only those who have lost both parents. "The children we take in also include abandoned children with no clear family background. Currently, we care for a total of 47 children, consisting of 33 boys and 14 girls, with only four caregivers," he said on Friday (11/10).

However, despite the orphanage’s efforts to provide a safe place for these children, they still face major challenges in meeting their basic needs. Herlan added that the orphanage struggles to cover the costs of meals, sleeping equipment like mattresses and pillows, as well as transportation for the children to attend public school every morning. In the afternoon, the children study the Qur'an and learn religious lessons at the orphanage.

Based on information gathered by the volunteer team from several children, it was revealed that many of them come from more remote areas, including Sekotong in the southernmost part of West Lombok. One child, Rizki, shared his dream: "My name is Rizki. I want to be a police officer. My father has passed away, and my mother can't afford to support me." Rizki told the team.

The Ksatria volunteer team is a field team from ASAR Humanity that is tasked with identifying communities in need of assistance and distributing the necessary aid across Indonesia.