BANGKA -- Not every teenager has the courage that Rindu Rifiani does. At such a young age, this student from Tanjungpandan, Belitung, bravely left her hometown after being selected as one of the recipients of the 2025/2026 PT Timah Pemali Boarding School Scholarship.
Rindu made the bold decision to leave the comfort of her home to pursue her education on Bangka Island. Alongside 36 other students, Rindu will attend SMAN 1 Pemali and live at the PT Timah Pemali Boarding School dormitory.
The decision was entirely her own. As the youngest child in her family, Rindu took the initiative herself. She searched for scholarship opportunities, diligently followed each stage of the selection process, and was ultimately accepted—starting a brand-new chapter in her life.
"Rindu looked for the scholarship on her own. After learning about the Pemali Boarding School, she immediately applied and, Alhamdulillah, she got in. I'm so happy. I'm really excited to study and make new friends there," she said with enthusiasm.
For Rindu, receiving the PT Timah Pemali Boarding School Scholarship isn’t just about studying away from home for a better education—it's a stepping stone toward her future success.
She has taken her first step toward her dream of becoming a film producer, and she hopes for her mother’s prayers and blessings to support her journey and one day make her family proud.
Rindu couldn’t hold back her tears. She expressed gratitude to PT Timah for paving the way for her to access quality education without placing a financial burden on her parents.
“Thank you so much, PT Timah, for giving me this big opportunity. I hope PT Timah continues to thrive and that this program keeps going so that other kids like me can also reach for their dreams. To Mama, please keep praying for me so I can achieve my goals and make you proud,” she said tearfully.
Rindu’s joy was shared by her mother, Nia Sari, who was overwhelmed with emotion during the student handover ceremony. Her eyes filled with tears as she witnessed her daughter's determination.
"I’m so proud of Rindu. From the start, she was determined to go through the selection process. I have mixed emotions—proud, touched, but also sad because my youngest daughter will be living far from home to study on Bangka Island,” she said softly.
For over two decades, the Pemali Boarding School Scholarship Program has stood as a testament to PT Timah’s commitment to nurturing a strong, capable younger generation.
Through a boarding school system, the program not only equips students with academic knowledge but also instills discipline, character, and leadership values.
Behind every scholarship recipient like Rindu lies a story of hope and a promising future. And PT Timah is proud to be part of their journey toward their dreams.
