Businessman lends office as temporary school

Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, Padang

Three students of SMK Dhuafa vocational high school in Padang, West Sumatra, were touched upon hearing that they could resume their studies on Monday after a one-week break and countless sidewalk classes.

The students, Dalmi, 18, Rice Kusmilia, 17, and Yulfa Susanti, 17, expressed gratitude to Padang businessman Irfianda Abidin, who offered his two-story building as a temporary location for classes.

The building was previously used as a computer and English language school, but was vacated two months ago.

The building has seven classrooms, which can accommodate half of SMK Dhuafa's students. There are no tables and chairs, nor any other learning apparatus in the building -- which is carpeted throughout -- but the students are quite satisfied as they are used to sitting cross-legged on the floor.

"We are very grateful to be back at school, thanks to a good Samaritan. We don't have to learn on the sidewalk anymore," Delmi told The Jakarta Post during a visit to the new dormitory at Wisma Hawa II on Jl. Cendrawasih.

As many as 865 students of SMK Dhuafa -- which is managed by the Bakti Nusantara Isafat Foundation -- have not been able to attend school since August 3. The free school for needy students, claimed to be the only school of its kind in Southeast Asia, closed its doors by order of the West Sumatra administration.

Some 29 students, including Delmi, Rice and Yulfa, who were staying in the school's dormitory, were evicted by the local police at 10 p.m on Wednesday last week. Four students, who fainted during the eviction, were taken to hospital, while chairs, computers and equipment were reportedly damaged.

The 29 students were eventually moved to Wisma Hawa after the owner of the building said they could stay there for free. They, however, have to pay for transportation, changing minibuses three times to go to school.

"To save money, we intend to walk from our dorm to the minibus terminal, then take the minibus to Simpang Tujuh and from there, walk to school. We can economize by just taking one bus," said Rice.

The distance from the dorm to the minibus terminal is one kilometer, the same distance as from Simpang Tujuh to their school. However, the students still don't know how they will pay for their transportation expenses.

The students staying at the dormitory are among 100 students of SMK Dhuafa whose education and daily necessities are being subsidized by the foundation.

Delmi, who is in third year, conceded she would not have reached senior high school had it not been for SMK Dhuafa.

Rice, who is in the same class as Delmi, said her teacher at Matur Junior High School 3, had enrolled her in SMK Dhuafa as her parents could not afford to put her through senior high school.

SMK Dhuafa has successfully helped many poor students in Padang continue with their education. The school has 275 first grade students, 315 second grade students and 275 third grade students.

Registration surged to 600 names this year, but only 275 will be admitted due to inadequate facilities.