Economic limitations should never be a reason to give up on one’s dreams, and Damar Madya Prasetya (19) exemplifies this truth. The second child of Mohammad Sarip (49) and Yayuk Suprihatin (49), Damar lives in a modest home on a narrow alley that only fits a single motorbike in Mangkuyudan, Mantrijeron, Yogyakarta.
Mohammad Sarip is a mechanic who earns less than one and a half million rupiah monthly, depending on how many motorcycles he repairs daily. He has been in this line of work for 21 years, ensuring his family’s survival and funding his children’s education. Yayuk, a homemaker, dedicates her days to cooking and managing the household.
Damar has achieved numerous accolades despite their economic hardships and developed impressive talents. Throughout middle and high school, he earned national-level awards in singing, macapat (Javanese poetry recitation), drawing, poster design, and the National Student Arts Festival and Competition (FLS2N).
Alongside his extracurricular achievements, Damar was also active in school organizations, serving as the Student Council President and the Chair of the Student Representative Council.
Damar’s aspiration to study medicine at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) began in middle school, inspired by his experiences accompanying his mother to her medical check-ups.
“Every time I went with my mom for her check-ups, I thought about how amazing it was that doctors could help heal their patients. That’s when I started thinking that studying medicine would be a great choice,” he explained.
As he approached graduation from SMA Negeri 1 Yogyakarta, Damar applied to the Medical Program at UGM through the academic excellence-based entrance selection (SNBP) route. To his delight, he was accepted into one of the most sought-after programs in the world.
However, the anticipation of tuition fee announcements filled Damar with mixed emotions, given his family’s financial situation, which he believed wouldn’t suffice to cover his educational expenses.
“Given our financial condition, which is still quite low, I wasn’t sure we could cover all the college costs, especially the tuition fees for medical school,” he shared.
Thanks to his parents’ prayers and perseverance, Damar and his family were overjoyed to learn that he had been awarded a 100% tuition subsidy from UGM, exempting him from tuition fees.
“We are very grateful. Damar has dreamed of studying medicine at UGM since he was a child, and now that dream has come true,” said Yayuk tearfully.
As a mother, Yayuk strongly supports her son’s desire to pursue higher education, believing education is the top priority and worth fighting for.
“Children’s education must be supported, especially in our current situation. I don’t want my children to experience more hardship than I did,” she stated.
Recalling Damar’s determination from a young age to excel academically and beyond, Yayuk emphasizes the importance of humility.
“Because we come from a humble background, no matter how successful you become, you must always remain humble,” she advised Damar.
Author: Lintang
Editor: Gusti Grehenson