Hardworking and independent are the words that best describe Rofidah Nurhana Lestari (18), an incoming student at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FTP UGM).
Hailing from Teguhan, Wonosari, Lestari has been spending her time working at a mobile phone counter while waiting for classes to begin in early August.
“Considering my father’s current situation, he can’t work optimally during the rainy season, and knowing that university will also require expenses, I decided to work in the meantime,” she said.
Her father, Timbul Marsono (54), earns an irregular income as a truck driver transporting straw for livestock feed.
He drives a truck owned by a neighbor, collecting straw from nearby villages to sell to local farmers.
“I collect the straw from other villages and sell it to people who raise livestock,” Marsono explained.
During the rainy season, however, the demand for straw drops significantly, forcing him to look for alternative means to support his family. He often resorts to collecting and selling scrap materials.
“When business is slow, we go looking for scrap,” he added.
Darini (52), Lestari’s mother, said that her husband often leaves home at dawn and returns late at night to ensure the straw is sold.
His monthly income as a truck driver averages around IDR 1.5 million, depending on the level of demand.
“In a month, he might make eight to ten trips, but it’s not always consistent. Each trip brings in about a hundred thousand rupiah,” the mother explained.
Despite their financial constraints, Marsono has always strived to provide the best for his children.
He considers himself fortunate to have such a diligent and self-motivated daughter.
Lestari is known for her dedication to her studies, often staying up late to revise.
“She studies until one or two in the morning, especially before exams,” he said proudly.
Lestari consistently ranked first in her class during elementary and junior high school.
Her love of reading even led her to win a poetry writing competition, which resulted in her work being published in the book ‘Catatan Perjuangan’ with renowned journalist Najwa Shihab.
Her motivation and discipline to study stem from her parents’ unwavering encouragement to pursue her dreams.
“My parents always motivate me to keep studying and aim high, even with our economic situation,” said the youngest of two siblings, her eyes glistening with emotion.
Her father consistently reassured her about pursuing higher education and prayed that she would receive a scholarship.
“Dad always told me there would be a scholarship opportunity in the future and that somehow I would go to college,” she recalled.
For Lestari, her parents are paragons of patience and sacrifice, always striving to give their best without ever showing a burden.
Her older sibling, who had lived with paralysis since childhood, passed away last year after being cared for at home by their mother for 27 years.
“Last year, my sibling passed away. For 27 years, Mom took care of them at home and frequently had to go in and out of the hospital,” she shared.
Pursuing Agricultural Technology
Regarding her future aspirations, Lestari hopes to work at the Ministry of Agriculture.
This goal motivated her to choose Agricultural Engineering at FTP UGM.
“I find agricultural engineering appealing because of its technical elements, and I want to contribute to innovations in both production and infrastructure in Indonesia’s agricultural sector,” she said.
She expressed immense gratitude for being accepted into UGM and receiving a full tuition fee subsidy through UGM’s tuition assistance scheme, which significantly eases her family’s financial burden.
Her mother also extended her heartfelt thanks to UGM for providing her daughter with the opportunity to attend university and receive a tuition scholarship.
“I am deeply grateful to UGM for accepting my daughter and granting her a 100% tuition subsidy. My daughter can go to college for free. Once again, thank you,” she said.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Donnie