Businessman lends office as temporary school<\/p>\n
Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, Padang<\/p>\n
Three students of SMK Dhuafa vocational high school in Padang,
\nWest Sumatra, were touched upon hearing that they could resume
\ntheir studies on Monday after a one-week break and countless
\nsidewalk classes.<\/p>\n
The students, Dalmi, 18, Rice Kusmilia, 17, and Yulfa Susanti,
\n17, expressed gratitude to Padang businessman Irfianda Abidin,
\nwho offered his two-story building as a temporary location for
\nclasses.<\/p>\n
The building was previously used as a computer and English
\nlanguage school, but was vacated two months ago.<\/p>\n
The building has seven classrooms, which can accommodate half
\nof SMK Dhuafa's students. There are no tables and chairs, nor any
\nother learning apparatus in the building -- which is carpeted
\nthroughout -- but the students are quite satisfied as they are
\nused to sitting cross-legged on the floor.<\/p>\n
\"We are very grateful to be back at school, thanks to a good
\nSamaritan. We don't have to learn on the sidewalk anymore,\" Delmi
\ntold The Jakarta Post during a visit to the new dormitory at
\nWisma Hawa II on Jl. Cendrawasih.<\/p>\n
As many as 865 students of SMK Dhuafa -- which is managed by
\nthe Bakti Nusantara Isafat Foundation -- have not been able to
\nattend school since August 3. The free school for needy students,
\nclaimed to be the only school of its kind in Southeast Asia,
\nclosed its doors by order of the West Sumatra administration.<\/p>\n
Some 29 students, including Delmi, Rice and Yulfa, who were
\nstaying in the school's dormitory, were evicted by the local
\npolice at 10 p.m on Wednesday last week. Four students, who
\nfainted during the eviction, were taken to hospital, while
\nchairs, computers and equipment were reportedly damaged.<\/p>\n
The 29 students were eventually moved to Wisma Hawa after the
\nowner of the building said they could stay there for free. They,
\nhowever, have to pay for transportation, changing minibuses three
\ntimes to go to school.<\/p>\n
\"To save money, we intend to walk from our dorm to the minibus
\nterminal, then take the minibus to Simpang Tujuh and from there,
\nwalk to school. We can economize by just taking one bus,\" said
\nRice.<\/p>\n
The distance from the dorm to the minibus terminal is one
\nkilometer, the same distance as from Simpang Tujuh to their
\nschool. However, the students still don't know how they will pay
\nfor their transportation expenses.<\/p>\n
The students staying at the dormitory are among 100 students
\nof SMK Dhuafa whose education and daily necessities are being
\nsubsidized by the foundation.<\/p>\n
Delmi, who is in third year, conceded she would not have
\nreached senior high school had it not been for SMK Dhuafa.<\/p>\n
Rice, who is in the same class as Delmi, said her teacher at
\nMatur Junior High School 3, had enrolled her in SMK Dhuafa as her
\nparents could not afford to put her through senior high school.<\/p>\n
SMK Dhuafa has successfully helped many poor students in
\nPadang continue with their education. The school has 275 first
\ngrade students, 315 second grade students and 275 third grade
\nstudents.<\/p>\n
Registration surged to 600 names this year, but only 275 will
\nbe admitted due to inadequate facilities.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/businessman-lends-office-as-temporary-school-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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