Malang, en.SERU.co.id – The Malang Autism Center (MAC) is once again organizing its social program Nasi Berkah Ramadan to train children with autism in sharing kindness during the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative aims to assist the community by distributing iftar meal packages while serving as a platform for skill training and empowerment for children with autism at MAC.
M. Cahyadi, the founder of Malang Autism Center (MAC), stated that the Nasi Berkah Ramadan program has been running since 2023 and has shown consistent growth each year. In its first year, MAC distributed approximately 1,100 blessing rice boxes. This number doubled to 2,200 boxes in 2024, and in 2025, it reached 11,000 boxes shared with the community.
Entering its fourth year in Ramadan 2026, the program is being carried out with even greater enthusiasm. Over the first 20 days—from February 19 to March 10, 2026—Malang Autism Center distributed 24,625 iftar rice packages, delivered to around 30 mosques daily across various areas of Malang to help provide breaking-the-fast meals for worshippers. This was shared enthusiastically by Cahyadi (affectionately called Acai) in an interview with SERU.co.id.
All Production Processes Involve Children with Autism
What makes the program particularly special is that the entire production of Nasi Berkah involves children with autism, directly supervised by therapists. This serves as an integral part of the life skills training program at Malang Autism Center (MAC).
The students learn a range of skills, starting from food preparation and cooking, to packaging and food distribution. Through these activities, they are trained in teamwork, responsibility, and developing independence. At the same time, it demonstrates that—with proper training—children with autism can work and create just like anyone else, Acai emphasized firmly.
The Nasi Berkah program forms part of MAC’s broader effort to establish a Learning Center—a dedicated skills training hub for children with autism. This gives them real opportunities to learn, practice, showcase their abilities, and make tangible contributions to society.
In this program, around 10 children at Malang Autism Center are directly involved in various daily production processes: from ingredient preparation, cooking, packaging the blessing rice, to delivering it to mosques.
“Each child is assigned different tasks as part of their vocational skills training. And they are also paid for their work,” he added.
Appreciation from Malang Autism Center to Donors
Malang Autism Center expresses deep appreciation and gratitude to all donors and everyone involved who have supported the successful implementation of the Nasi Berkah Ramadan 2026 program.
“Support from various parties is a crucial element in sustaining this Nasi Berkah initiative. It ensures that the activity of sharing with the community, alongside training for children with autism, can continue and grow year after year,” Cahyadi explained.
Through this program, Malang Autism Center hopes the public will recognize that children with autism possess tremendous potential to develop just like other children—provided they are given the right space, opportunities, and proper guidance.
“The program also serves as an invitation for society to join in spreading goodness during Ramadan. It aligns with the core spirit of Nasi Berkah: One rice portion, a thousand prayers, flowing with blessings,” he concluded firmly. (rhd)
