Amidst economic limitations and the distance separating her from her parents, the spirit to pursue higher education burned brightly within Maria Elisabeth Ponda (18 years old).
This young woman from Merauke, South Papua, was accepted into the Undergraduate Program in Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM).
Erlin, as she is often called, becomes a beacon of hope from the eastern tip of Indonesia. She proves that big dreams can be achieved by anyone, as long as they are accompanied by firm intent and perseverance.
She is one of the new students who received a 100 percent subsidized Excellent Education Single Tuition Fee (UKT) or UKT 0 scholarship from Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Erlin is the only child of Albertus Dominikus Dei (48) and Fereonika Sa (40). Her father works daily as a day laborer at a palm oil company, while her mother is a homemaker.
Because her father’s job required him to be out of town, her mother accompanied him and lived at the worksite in Wasur District, 66 kilometers from Merauke City.
Meanwhile, Erlin herself lived with relatives in Merauke City to continue her education at SMAN 1 Merauke.
“Mother accompanied Father in Wasur because Father was sick, so he had to be accompanied. Father has high blood pressure, and Mother must be there to prepare food, and so on,” Erlin explained on Tuesday (Jul. 22).
This condition meant Erlin had to live her school days independently, as her parents only returned to Merauke during their free time.
Not only did she strive academically, but she also learned to manage responsibilities as a teenager pursuing education far from her parents.
Nevertheless, Erlin always held onto her parents’ principle of staying strong and fighting.
“Because I am the only child, my parents always said, if you can stand on your own two feet, maintain that. Because later, if it’s not yourself fighting, who else will?” Erlin said, recalling her father’s message.
Dream to Become a Doctor
Erlin’s desire to become a doctor is not merely a career choice. That dream grew from her childhood experiences that left a strong impression on her memory.
Her grandmother raised her until the age of three. When her grandmother was diagnosed with a malignant tumor, she did not receive maximum care due to financial factors.
Before passing away, Erlin’s grandmother advised her parents to send Erlin to the highest possible education so she could become a doctor and help others, even if they could not afford it.
Since then, Erlin has always strived to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.
This is not only a form of gratitude to her grandmother but also a calling to serve marginalized communities.
Moreover, Erlin is the only one in her family studying at UGM.
“I have always instilled this hope since I was in the 5th grade of elementary school. Even when I first found the name Universitas Gadjah Mada in my theme book in elementary school. Who would have thought I would now truly be studying at FK-KMK UGM?” Erlin said with teary eyes.
Erlin participated in the university admission selection through the academic excellence-based entrance selection (SNBP) pathway.
The announcement day was one of the most tense moments in her life. Many of her friends had already shared news that they did not pass.
Erlin had lost confidence and had already apologized to her parents, fearing that she would fail.
“I told Mama and Bapak (Mother and Father), ‘I’m sorry if I don’t pass.’ Because I knew the competition at FK-KMK UGM was very tough, and we couldn’t afford to take the independent pathway,” Erlin said.
She continued, “After opening it, it felt like a dream come true. Even my father’s blood pressure, which was once 200/190, immediately dropped to normal upon hearing the news. We were all very grateful.”
Amidst life’s challenging conditions, Erlin consistently showed outstanding academic achievements.
She consistently ranked 1st or 2nd for three years in high school. Her best scores were in Biology, Mathematics, and Religion, all above 90.
Additionally, Erlin actively participated in various competitions and organizational activities, especially Pramuka (Scouts).
Some of her achievements include: Gold Medalist in Cendekia Pelajar Indonesia for the Medicine Study Field in high school, and 2nd Place in the Poetry Reading and Creation Competition.
Also, 3rd Place in National Speech Competition by LPP RRI Merauke, 1st Place in National Indonesian Debate Competition by the National Achievement Center representing Papua in Tangerang.
And, 1st Place in Youth Pledge recitation competition and 3rd Place in speech competition in Pramuka activities.
Erlin also recounted that the pocket money she received from her parents was inconsistent, especially since she had to manage it herself as she lived alone.
Fortunately, with the championships she won, Erlin’s school fees were covered by the school.
Currently, Erlin is also one of the new students who received a 100% UKT scholarship from UGM.
“We are very grateful because this scholarship lightens our family’s burden. My father’s income as a laborer is only about two million per month, and that too is not fixed,” Erlin explained.
She added, “Without a scholarship, it would be very difficult to study outside Papua. So I am very grateful to UGM for giving me the opportunity to study for free at UGM.”
Her mother, Fereonika Sa, admitted she was pleased that her only child was accepted into UGM with a 100 percent UKT subsidy.
Especially since it was for one of the study programs she had dreamed of since childhood.
“I hope that everything my child receives from UGM will be her provision for the future to become a doctor who is responsible for all her duties wholeheartedly,” Sa said emotionally.
A similar sentiment was also conveyed by her father, Albertus Dominikus Dei, who expressed appreciation and gratitude to UGM for providing his daughter with the opportunity to study for free.
“Thank you for helping to lighten the burden on parents with no admission fees and no levies. We cannot repay all this kindness,” Dei stated.
Currently, Erlin admits she is preparing herself for the upcoming university life.
She realizes new challenges will come, from social adaptation to academic demands on campus. However, her spirit remains undeterred.
She believes this is her first step towards becoming a doctor, as her grandmother once dreamed.
She wants to be someone beneficial to many people, especially those who cannot afford to have the same rights.
Erlin also conveyed a message full of hope, addressed to anyone striving to achieve their dreams.
Especially those from remote areas or families with economic limitations.
For her, dreams are not something reserved only for those living in big cities or from well-off families.
Dreams are everyone’s right, and anyone can fight for them, as long as there is willingness, hard work, and conviction.
“Never be afraid to dream and pursue higher education. Nothing is impossible if our goals are good and sincere. God will surely open a way,” Erlin advised.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian