Struggle of Leni, Daughter of Gunungkidul Farm Labourer, Accepted with Free Tuition at UGM

Leni Ismawati’s (18) determination to achieve her dream of studying at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has finally been realised. The young woman from Gunungkidul successfully passed the selection for Accounting at UGM through the National Selection Based on Merit (SNBP) track.

Furthermore, Leni, as she is affectionately known, has also received the 100 per cent Subsidised Excellence Education scholarship, resulting in zero tuition fees (UKT) at UGM. The success of the daughter of Semojo (50) and Erni (37) in pursuing higher education at UGM was not an easy feat.

Amidst her family’s economic limitations, Leni continued to strive to realise the ambitions she had built since primary school. Her parents work daily managing rice fields and livestock.

Their income is unstable. To meet daily needs, Erni admitted she often seeks additional work as a farm labourer for her neighbours. Despite these conditions, it was not an obstacle to her daughter’s education.

Erni stated that her child’s education is her top priority, especially since she is only a junior high school graduate and her husband only completed primary school. She even admitted to regretting not being able to continue her own education.

Furthermore, no one in her family or her husband’s family has ever pursued education to the university level. Therefore, she wants to ensure that Leni has the opportunity to achieve the highest level of education possible, as she has dreamed.

Erni does not want to experience the same fate as herself, regretting her lack of education. Naturally, Leni’s success in attending UGM is a source of great pride.

“I always encouraged my child to go to school, regardless of how we would find the funds later. I do not want her to regret it like her parents,” Erni said on Monday (29/6), as quoted from the official UGM website.

Erni noted that she and her husband have provided full support to Leni. She always advised her not to be afraid of pursuing her dreams.

“Mother advised me not to be afraid of chasing my dreams. That is what ultimately gave me the courage to try applying for the Accounting major at Ulam,” said Leni.

Erni explained that since childhood, Leni has been taught to be resilient because they are not a wealthy family that can have everything instantly. She instilled the understanding that every desire must be achieved through effort and hard work, including habituating Leni to save her pocket money if she wanted to purchase personal needs.

In addition to education, Erni said she also monitors Leni’s religious education and social circle to ensure she does not fall into environments that bring negative impacts.

“I intentionally did not spoil her since she was small, not only because of our economic condition, but also because I was worried Leni would struggle to face her future,” she revealed.

Leni’s journey to the ‘Blue Campus’ was not easy. Since deciding to continue her studies at SMA 1 Wonosari, which is quite far from home, she had to live in a boarding house on her own.

This experience actually enabled Leni to live independently and manage her time more effectively. Unlike her school friends who attended additional tutoring classes, due to economic constraints, she chose to study independently. Leni found her effective study time to be in the early hours of the morning, routinely waking up at 02:00 AM to study.

Her perseverance has paid off; she managed to achieve the second-highest eligible rank, which served as the foundation for her continuing her education. Leni’s interest in the field of economics had grown since she first entered high school.

This interest was deepened by taking economics electives, specifically studying accounting in Grade 12.

“Since Grade 12, I began to delve into accounting and its future career prospects. This ultimately made me feel that this field is very suitable for me,” Leni said.

Her academic achievements are indisputable; since primary school, Leni routinely ranked first and even received the title of best graduate in junior high school. She also participated in various activities such as the Islamic Student Association (Rohis), the Junior Red Cross (PMR), and the Muhammadiyah Youth Association (IPM) of Kapanewon Wonosari.

In high school, she participated in the National Science Olympiad (OSNS) in Economics at the regency level. Leni admitted that as she grows older, her perspective has broadened. Initially, she studied to achieve rankings and prizes; now, she studies to change her life, both economically and in terms of her educational background.

“I hope that after this, Accounting at UGM can open more paths and good things for my future,” she expressed.