What a happiness felt by Rizky Arie Apryanto, student of SMA Negeri I Kebumen highschool when he was declared passing the university entrance test through the Bidikmisi scholarship mechanism. What’s more is that he is accepted at the Faculty of Law of Universitas Gadjah Mada, one that he hopes would be able to bring him to success in the future.
Born in a disadvantaged family, Rizky is motivated to always work hard. He chose to study hard, too.
Rizky overcame the difficult moment with his head held high. He made impressive achievements from elementary school to highschool. He showed his determination to pursue higher education by his good grades and get scholarships since early on.
In highschool, he stayed at the boarding house owned by Muhammadiyah foundation in Kebumen so that he could help ease the burden of his family. Since 2007, his mother, Umi Suyanti (43), became the breadwinner as his father, Tosin Susanto (45), often fell ill after his return from his job in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a driver. “That’s how I lived my life, in the boarding house, all is catered for,” he said. There he spent his time studying. Despite being penniless, Rizky had broad knowledge of up-to-date school textbooks. He had to photocopy books borrowed from his friends and made use of school internet access.
The young man born in Kebumen, 16 April 1995 was grateful that he was always able to get a scholarship. In elementary school he got the scholarship from BKM Kecamatan, in junior high from Sampoerna Foundation, while in highschool from BSM, BOS and Alumni association of SMA Negeri I Kebumen.
Umi Suyanti is appreciative of the Bidikmisi received by Rizky. With her earning that amounts to IDR300 thousand monthly, she is unable to afford his tuition.
“I work as a tailor for a company, for one short pants I’m paid IDR300 and long pants IDR600. How many I make each day is uncertain as I have to tend to my two other children whilst my husband is ill,” she recounted.
To make ends meet, Umi comes to her parents everyday to get side dishes and vegetables while the rice has been provided by government for the poor. “I have no other alternative, I quit from a garment company in Bandung,” she said.
Now, Umi tries to encourage Rizky in his studies. She hopes he can become a role model for his siblings while opening the path to success in the future.