First, I wrote this experience not for show off, far from it. My intention, first is as a manifestation of gratitude for the gift of God Almighty. Second, by sharing experiences, I wish I will get a reward as well. I believe that if the reader willing to follow my steps, the same results or even greater can be achieved. Just do it! Give alms, God's help will come.
Looking backward on the journey of my life, there are some milestones that I think those were the basis for progress for the next stage. The first milestone was when my wife and I gave our savings to repair our parents' homes. At that time, caround early 1990s, I was still living in a simple house type 70 in South Tangerang. When our savings reached approximately USD 3000, my wife and I had a discussion. What to do with the money. Whether these savings are used to rehabilitate our simple home that are still original BTN? In that year, it cost about US$ 3000 to make a concrete roof garage with one bedroom one it. One question that stuck out was, if the money used to rehabilitate our house, then when we can give to something to our parents? What is the point we give something to parents when they have gone? By creating a magnificent headstone? Finally we decided that we gave our saving to our parents with suggestions to be used to rehabilitate their homes. The money that we gave just enough to replace cement tiles with ceramic tiles.
After several years passed by, even though my house still original house, but I was able to buy another house nearby. So I had 2 houses. Both are original simple houses. In fact, not long later, I could buy another better house. Currently, those two houses have been used for an orphanage.
In the years 1987-1988, when Indonesia was hit by the economic crisis. I was thinking on how to make my family not affected by the crisis. How to avoid the economic crisis? After long contemplation and reading through various books, a decision that I took at thea ttime was: withdrew the money from my savings and donated to the orphanage. As I recalled, there were about USD $ 300 I donated to some orphanages and sent to Ambon where there was community clashes. Thank God, my family was not affected by the economic crisis. When the rupiah collapsed because of economic crisis, I was assigned several times to attend meetings abroad. I stayed for free at a friend's house. I could save my travel allowances which was more than my one month salary.
In addition, I also supported some of my relatives to cover the their education. Alms for the orphanage, security and cleaning service in office and I did. There is one memorable experience of alms to the guard. I gave alms to the security guard (about USD 10 for each) before I was called by my direct supervisor who wanted to scold me. Instead of being scolded, I actually got the money of Rp 10 million from my direct supervisor.
In addition, I also supported some of my relatives to cover the their education. Alms for the orphanage, security and cleaning service in office and I did. There is one memorable experience of alms to the guard. I gave alms to the security guard (about USD 10 for each) before I was called by my direct supervisor who wanted to scold me. Instead of being scolded, I actually got the money of Rp 10 million from my direct supervisor.
One more story about charity. I said to my men: "you know why I was promoted to be your boss?". "Because I made the orphanage," I said. There were 2 people who used to contribute the that orphange regularly. Alhamdulillah, not long after that, both were also promoted to be director-level officials in government agencies.
Hopefully my friend's life experiences can inspire you to do charity as well. Charity always pay off.
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