BANGKA -- Leaving their families at a young age is never an easy decision. Yet, in pursuit of better educational opportunities and brighter futures, 36 outstanding students from the Bangka Belitung Islands, Riau Islands, and Riau provinces have taken a courageous step by joining PT TIMAH Tbk's Scholarship Class at SMAN 1 Pemali in Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province.
Behind every suitcase they carry lies a dream, the prayers of their parents, and the hope of building a better future through PT TIMAH's Scholarship Class—a long-standing educational scholarship program that has opened doors for many high-achieving students to pursue quality education and realize their aspirations.
One of them is Kirana, a graduate of SMP Negeri 1 Selat Nasik in Belitung Regency. The daughter of a fisherman from Petaling Village, Selat Nasik District, said she was motivated to join the program because she wanted to broaden her horizons and build meaningful relationships that would support her education.
"My dream is to become a teacher. I want to learn more and be in an environment that helps me grow," she said during the handover ceremony for the new students of PT TIMAH's Scholarship Class at SMAN 1 Pemali last week.
Although leaving her family behind was difficult, Kirana understood that the decision was necessary for her future. She admitted feeling emotional and having to prepare herself mentally to adapt to life in the boarding school.
"I was sad because it was my first time being away from my parents. They were also emotional, but they kept encouraging me because our family's financial situation is limited. Their message was simple: get along well with my friends and stay focused on my studies," she said.
Kirana hopes PT TIMAH's Scholarship Class will continue so that more outstanding students from modest backgrounds can have access to quality education.
A similar hope was shared by Nindy Syahputri, a graduate of MTsN Karimun in the Riau Islands. She first learned about the scholarship from a friend of her older sibling who had previously graduated from PT TIMAH's Scholarship Class.
Her greatest motivation for applying was her desire to become independent, achieve success, and make her parents proud.
"I want to focus on my studies, develop my potential, and someday become a teacher who can make a positive impact on many people's lives," she said.
Nindy, the second of three siblings, said her family fully supported her decision. Her mother is a homemaker, while her father works as a construction laborer.
"My parents encouraged me to try. They said if it's meant for me, I will succeed. Of course I was sad because I had never been so far away from them, but this is for my future," she said.
Before leaving for Bangka, her parents reminded her to maintain good character, respect others, and make the most of the educational opportunity.
She also expressed her gratitude to PT TIMAH for giving her the opportunity to become part of the Pemali Boarding School family.
"This program has been a tremendous help to my family and has become the pathway for me to pursue my dreams," she said.
The same determination was shared by Aqila Mumtaz, a graduate of SMP Negeri 2 Pangkalpinang. She admitted that she never expected to be accepted after going through a series of selection stages, including academic and psychological tests.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity for me. I initially applied just to give it a try, and I was fortunate enough to be selected. I am truly grateful for this opportunity," she said.
Aqila hopes to continue her education at her dream university, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and aspires to become a diplomat.
According to her, the scholarship is a golden opportunity to grow and prepare herself for the future.
"I hope I can study hard, get accepted into my dream university, and one day become a diplomat," she said confidently.
Meanwhile, M. Afiq Arsyad, a graduate of SMP Negeri 3 Rangsang in the Meranti Islands, said he joined the program after receiving a recommendation from his school.
The son of a farmer, Afiq said the opportunity to study at Pemali Boarding School has become the answer to his family's financial limitations.
"My parents are both over 50 years old, yet they fully supported my decision even though it meant I had to move far from home. In fact, this was my first time traveling by airplane," he said with a smile.
Afiq also dreams of becoming a teacher. He hopes to make the most of his education at SMAN 1 Pemali and achieve even greater accomplishments.
"I hope PT TIMAH will continue this program because it has been incredibly helpful for outstanding students like me. I will do my best to study hard and achieve success here," he said. (*)
