Businessman lends office as temporary school

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.