For thousands of Indonesian youth living in the remote Bayat village in Indonesia, the prospect of finishing secondary school, let alone obtaining a tertiary education, is far beyond reach. Living in extreme poverty, their parents struggle to make ends meet with very few being able to afford school fees.
According to a 2010 national consensus, approximately 3.5 million children are currently out of school in Indonesia. While poverty remains the biggest factor hindering access to education in the country, remote and isolated geographical locations also present a serious barrier to education.
Just a few years ago, Susilo Prasetyo was one of many youth living in the Bayat village whose hopes of completing school was a dream that seemed impossibly unattainable. Although Susilo’s parents aspired to see their daughter attend school and obtain a good education, their impoverished circumstances meant that their hopes of securing a better future for her were thwarted.
Although Susilo was faced with dire circumstances which seemed almost impossible to overcome, her dreams were one day reignited when a friend informed her about a scholarship programme being offered to students in her province. As she made further enquiries, Susilo was delighted to learn she was eligible for the scholarship which would enable her to attend vocational senior school. Through the programme, Susilo was awarded three years’ worth of full tuition fees and additional intensive mentorship in the form of self-development, English language skills improvement, and counselling sessions.
“Even though I come from an impoverished family and my parents lacked the money to send me to senior school, I always dreamed of being able to learn as much as I can and to one day attend university,” says Susilo, reflectively.
“From a young age, I realised the power of education and the doors it opens. I longed to have a successful life and to make my parents proud, and I knew that the only way this could be achieved was if I was able to obtain a better education,” adds Susilo.
The scholarship programme Susilo was enrolled in was set up by the local Titan Foundation, in collaboration with Reach Out to Asia, to offer support to the communities that were affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Yogyakarta and Central Java in 2006. The earthquake claimed more than 5,000 lives and destroyed thousands of buildings and schools in the province, leaving already impoverished families with next to nothing and youth with nowhere to learn. With the help of the dedicated and passionate teachers, the Scholarship Programme is bringing youth in the impoverished Bayat village closer to realising their dreams, which once seemed so far out of reach.
Since 2008, when the Titan-Rota Scholarship Programme officially launched, more than 200 students have graduated from the programme, with 50 percent of the graduates currently enrolled in or set to pursue higher education. When Susilo completed her vocational senior education, her dreams were further realised when the Titan Foundation notified her of the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to attend university. While at university Susilo developed even more of a passion for learning, grasping every opportunity to enhance her knowledge, so when the opportunity to travel to Australia on a two month English learning exchange programme was offered to her, she jumped at the opportunity.
“The Titan Foundation teachers have been my friends, mentors and saviours. I would never have imagined my life the way it is now. I still can’t quite believe my luck. I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to embark on this incredible journey of learning and self-discovery. I am filled with so much excitement for the future as I now know that anything is possible if you never stop believing in your dreams and make the most of the opportunities that come your way,” says Susilo effusively.
Upon graduating from university, Susilo secured a job at PricewaterhouseCoopers, the largest international consulting services firm in the world — a reality she would have never thought possible were it not for the opportunities afforded to her through the Scholarship Programme. Although she received a vital stepping stone which enabled her to flourish in all aspects of her life, Susilo’s success since enrolling in the programme is owed to her determination to succeed, regardless of the obstacles standing in her way.
“I am so grateful to Titan Foundation and Rota for the scholarship which has completely transformed my life and the life of my family. They are so proud of me and through my academic achievements I am able to inspire youth in my community to persevere and pursue their dreams. Education is the most empowering tool there is – I’m a shining example of just how it can completely transform your life.”
HOPEFUL: Susilo says u201cshe is filled with so much excitement for the future as I now know that anything is possible if you never stop believing in your dreams and make the most of the opportunities that come your way.u201d
