RT Chief's Account of Fendi's Family: Child Drops Out of School to Care for Ailing Mother
The head of RT 06 Jeruken, Girisekar, Panggang, Gunungkidul, Wahono, has announced that he has halted routine environmental contributions from the family of Ahmad Tri Efendi (10), a boy who has dropped out of school to care for his mother. Beyond this, residents regularly provide assistance to Fendi’s family.
“We have stopped all environmental contribution obligations. Any activities related to contributions have been stopped, particularly those connected to fees,” Wahono told reporters in Jeruken, Girisekar, Panggang, Gunungkidul, on Monday (16 March 2026).
According to Wahono, the policy reflects the community’s desire to support Fendi’s family. In addition to suspending RT fees, Wahono mentioned that residents frequently provide assistance to the family.
“We help as much as we can. Whenever residents have surplus blessings or hold celebrations, they provide gifts, and whenever there is any need, we certainly help,” he said.
Wahono explained that this response stems from both of Fendi’s parents suffering from serious illnesses. Fendi’s mother initially went blind, which led to nerve damage that caused her to become paralysed.
“His mother has been ill for almost four years, and his father for two years. His father initially worked as a construction labourer whilst caring for his wife and child, but gradually his capacity diminished and he contracted the same nerve illness,” he said.
This situation has made Fendi’s eldest sibling the primary breadwinner for the family. Fendi’s second sibling is still pursuing education in junior secondary school year one.
“Fendi has two siblings and is the youngest. The eldest is a boy who already works at a used cooking oil refinery in Berbah, Sleman. The second is a girl in junior secondary school year one,” he explained.
On a daily basis, Fendi lives with his father, mother, and elder sister. Occasionally, his grandmother visits to help support the family.
“Fendi stays at home with his father, mother, and elder sister. But his grandmother visits him here too, sometimes,” he said.
It was previously reported that a boy in Girisekar, Gunungkidul, was forced to abandon school to care for his mother, who is ill and paralysed. The boy, named Fendi (9), has been out of school for three years. His story went viral on social media.
Information about Fendi was posted by the Instagram account @pantaujogjakarta three days earlier. The post detailing Fendi’s poignant story garnered widespread attention from internet users, accumulating tens of thousands of likes and thousands of comments.
The Gunungkidul district government has taken action to provide assistance. Gunungkidul regent Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih and her team visited Fendi’s residence on this day.
On the occasion, Endah expressed regret that such cases must go viral before they receive attention. She urged all residents, from RT level to village officials, to immediately report any similar conditions in their communities.
“Cases like this should not be allowed to persist for three years or even one month. It is our duty as people of faith to help one another,” Endah said in a written statement on Sunday (15 March).