Bonding with Aruna Fishers: Together Breaking the Fast in Sarasehan Program

On Friday, April 7, 2023, Aruna held Sarasehan, an Aruna Fisher Gathering, entitled “Lebih Dekat di Bulan Penuh Berkah” (Getting Closer during the Blessed Month). This event was held in Pemalang, Central Java and several other cities in Indonesia, such as Sedayu, Yogyakarta; Papaan, South Kalimantan; Pelabuhan Ratu, West Java; Bau Bau, Southeast Sulawesi; and Paciran, East Java. Sarasehan is an engagement program to create a sense of closeness and deliver educational information for the Aruna Fisher Communities.

Other than celebrating Ramadan together, the Sarasehan was also held in commemoration of National Fishers’ Day. Sarasehan is a forum where Aruna can embrace Aruna Fishers and coastal communities who have spearheaded the development of the marine and fisheries industry in Indonesia. Sarasehan is also a means to build the trust of Aruna Fishers, especially in establishing regular and sustainable cooperation. 

This event was followed by the qosidah and tausiyah agenda, which was then continued by breaking the fast together. To sum up, there were more than 200 Aruna Fishers and Aruna Pickers who attended the event. Although spread across 6 cities, Sarasehan is simultaneously aimed at helping Aruna in achieving its main vision and mission, which is to make Indonesia the world’s maritime axis by 2045, by making the sea a better livelihood for all.

Utari Octavianty, Co-Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of Aruna, said, “Committed to being sustainably healthy, Sarasehan is one of the many things Aruna does to maintain our relationship with Aruna Fishers. Sarasehan is not only about educational programs to improve self-capacity, but Sarasehan is also about entertainment, a bonding that Aruna does directly with coastal communities. Hopefully, Aruna can continue to be genuinely humanist like this, so that more fishers in Indonesia will prosper.”