Tearful Moment as Son of a Water Gallon and Melon Gas Seller Gets Free Tuition at UGM

A mother in Cileungsi, West Java, never imagined her only son, Wilmar Zebaoth Siburian (18), could attend Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) tuition-free. Charoline Sihole (52) has been the backbone of her family for six years. The two live in a modest 4x6 metre rented house in Cileungsi. The terrace of the yellow house is filled with rows of gas canisters and water gallons, which have been Charoline’s livelihood since her husband, Wilmar Siburian (65), passed away six years ago. “After my husband was gone, I worked with someone to cover the monthly rent. Sometimes I was given Rp 1.5 million, sometimes Rp 2 million. Sometimes it wasn’t enough, so I did whatever I could—sometimes I rode a motorbike taxi, sometimes I sold things—the important thing was to support the two of us,” said Mama Charoline. Charoline recalled that she and her husband had migrated to Cileungsi 23 years ago. They first met when both were selling newspapers, magazines, and novels from a roadside stall in the city. “I got married in 2000, my husband was already selling newspapers, and I was selling newspapers too. We were brought together by selling newspapers,” she reminisced. Despite being a single parent, Charoline is grateful that her family’s life has been greatly helped by friends from her church congregation. “I received help from the church, getting rice, and for him (Walmer), pocket money,” she explained. Walmer was not a child who sat idle amid his family’s limitations. Since grade 11 at SMAN 1 Cileungsi, he consistently ranked in the top five of his class. “In grade 10, I didn’t get a high rank. My language grades were low. It was only in grade 11 that I met high-achieving friends across the cohort. Seeing them motivated me. Finally, in the second semester of grade 11, I ranked third, and then consistently stayed in the top five until graduation,” Walmer said. Walmer understood his family’s economic situation. Since junior high school, he was accustomed to bringing lunch from home and, after school, helping his mother deliver gas canisters and water gallons to neighbours who ordered via WhatsApp. He continued to nurture his dream of pursuing higher education at a top university. However, he was hesitant to leave his mother if he had to study far from home. “When I applied to UGM through the SNBP, I didn’t tell her. Because I knew Mama didn’t want to be left. So I wouldn’t overthink it, I just focused on studying. Even on the night before the announcement, I was still watching Mama sleep, thinking, ‘How could I leave her? She raised me all by herself.’ But I had to choose my future,” Walmer said. On the day of the announcement, his mother was attending a wake for a congregation member in the Gunungputri District. Walmer was overjoyed when he received a message that he had been accepted into the Nuclear Engineering programme at UGM’s Faculty of Engineering. Walmer immediately tried to share the happy news with his mother by phone. However, she could not answer, so he sent a written message. “Ma, I got accepted at UGM,” Walmer wrote. His message continued, “My condolences as well, Ma.” Meanwhile, Charoline seemed confused by the message Walmer sent. “What’s wrong?” a friend asked her. “I don’t know, read this,” Charoline replied. “Your son got accepted at UGM,” her friend exclaimed. “What is UGM?” Charoline asked her friend. “Your son got accepted to university at UGM, in Jogja, you know. Congratulations,” Charoline’s friend said. At that moment, Charoline said she was embraced by her friends in a group hug. She could not hold back her emotion after learning Walmer was accepted at UGM. Mother and son finally met when Charoline returned home at 5 p.m. Walmer, who had been waiting at the door, hugged his mother tearfully. Both shed tears. “I waited until 5 p.m., I was ready at the front door, and immediately hugged Mama. I didn’t know what to explain or what to say. It was like saying goodbye for a while. Mama immediately cried, and that night we prayed,” Walmer recalled. Even after Walmer was accepted at UGM, Charoline continued to pray that his studies would go smoothly and that he would receive a scholarship. Her prayers were answered. “When I was delivering goods, he told me about the announcement, what’s it called, the tuition fees,” Charoline said. “At first, I didn’t get it, I said, ‘Can’t this be reduced? The tuition is so expensive,’” she continued. Walmer then informed her about the scholarship by phone. “Mama, I got a free ride at UGM,” Walmer said. Hearing the happy news, Charoline could not hold back her tears. The moment was witnessed by her customer. “I cried at the person’s house. Then the homeowner congratulated me. ‘Congratulations, ma’am. You are amazing for enabling your child to study at UGM for free. That is extraordinary, God’s power is with you,’” Charoline said. As a mother, Charoline expressed gratitude for the blessings God has given her small family. Especially since Walmer received a lot of help during high school. “Since he was little until high school, I took him to and from school. I didn’t care what people said. He is my spirit,” she said emotionally. Charoline is not troubled by being left by her son to study in Jogja. She prays that Walmer will do well, especially as he will be staying at the Dharma Putra UGM dormitory. “I believe God gives the best for both of us. I hope Walmer achieves his dreams and elevates our family’s standing,” she hoped.