Student volunteers receive scholarship

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Iman Ni'matullah, 21, does not coming from a well-to-do family, but his personal difficulties have not dampened his enthusiasm for helping others, particularly those who cannot go to school due to financial constraints.

For the past three years, Imam, a student at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) in Jakarta, has been helping the Baduy people in Banten to get an education, using his own allowance on fund-raisers for Baduy children.

"I wonder what their children can do in the future without a proper education. Although they are forest people and have been neglected, they are part of our nation," he told The Jakarta Post.

"Who else would help them if not young people like myself?"

Iman is one of 96 students who were given a grant from state- owned Bank Mandiri for their dedication in contributing their time and resources for the underprivileged and marginalized.

Recipients were selected through a tight screening process covering thousands of students from 12 provinces.

Dina Hardiana, 21, for example, is a history student at the University of Indonesia (UI) who works with the Volunteer Team for Humanity (TRK). The TRK helps victims of state violence, including those of the May 1998 tragedy and the 1994 Tanjung Priok shooting incident.

Dina said not many people, including students, were interested in helping trauma victims or in seeking donations for the victims' families.

"Many things happened during the May 1998 tragedy. For example, many children lost their parents in an attack on Klender Plaza in East Jakarta. Besides the psychological trauma survivors experience, victims' families need money to survive," she told the Post.

She said she was happy volunteering, as she could learn much from many different people.

Suryani Firdaus, 21, on the other hand, works with Pelita Ilmu Foundation in an HIVE/AIDS program, while Amry, a student of Muhammadiyah University, has been raising interest in the study of history and culture among elementary and secondary school students.

Meanwhile, Sulistyaningrum, 19, a UI medical student, was awarded a grant for her efforts in procuring medical supplies and medication for victims of natural disasters.

"We know we can't rely on the government now. We must do it ourselves if we want to make a difference. As long as we don't neglect our responsibilities as a student, we will continue trying our best," she said.

Other grantees include Yohan, 21, and Isranto Miraji, 23, both UI student volunteers. Yohan has developed a national-level program to stop the widespread fake drug trade, while Isranto provides free tutelage to students in his neighborhood.

Sociologist and chairman of Nurani Dunia Foundation Imam B. Prasodjo said the 96 students had been selected for their selfless contributions, and that each received a Rp 500,000 monthly grant to help finance their volunteer activities.

"Besides high academic achievement, they were chosen mainly for their active contributions to social welfare, regardless of their religion or ethnicity," he said.