The Heartache of a 9-Year-Old from Gunungkidul Who Dropped Out of School for Three Years to Care for His Ailing Mother
A young boy in Girisekar, Gunungkidul, has been forced to drop out of school to care for his ailing mother, who has been left paralysed. The boy, identified as F (9), has been out of school for three years. His story has gone viral on social media.
Information about F was posted on Instagram account @pantaujogjakarta three days ago. The post detailing F’s heartbreaking circumstances attracted widespread attention from internet users. Tens of thousands of likes and thousands of comments flooded the post.
The Gunungkidul district government has taken action to provide assistance. Regent Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih and her team visited F’s residence today.
On that occasion, Endah expressed regret that such information must wait to go viral before it becomes known. She called on all residents, from neighbourhood level to village officials, to immediately report similar conditions in their communities.
“Situations like this should not be allowed to continue for three years or even one month. This is our duty as believers to help one another,” said Endah in a written statement on Sunday (15 March 2026).
About F’s Family Situation
Through a written statement, Endah explained the circumstances faced by F and his family. F was forced to drop out of school for three years to care for his mother, who suffers from stroke and an eye nerve disorder, leaving her unable to see or carry out activities.
F’s father has also begun experiencing vision problems over the past year. F’s older sister, identified as A, is currently studying at a state junior secondary school in Gunungkidul.
“F’s education will be handled by the Ministry of Religious Affairs through a good emotional approach, given that F attends madrasah,” said Endah.
“His sister is the responsibility of the Education Office, as she attends state junior secondary school,” she added.
Beyond ensuring F can return to school, the Gunungkidul district government is also ensuring F’s parents receive healthcare services. The Health Office has coordinated to review the results of F’s parents’ health examinations.
The government also plans to work with the Yap Eye Hospital to explore possible medical interventions, such as cataract or glaucoma surgery, to restore F’s parents’ vision.
“We received the lab results two days ago,” said Endah.
“We cannot ask F, or pressure him about whether he wants to go back to school. The child will answer that he will do so if there is assurance that his parents are being taken care of,” she explained.
F and A actually have an older brother. However, this eldest brother is working in the Sleman area and cannot care for his parents. As a result, F has had to sacrifice his own future to look after them.
To sustain F’s family, the Gunungkidul district government is working with the National Zakat Board to discuss business capital for F’s older brother so that he can work closer to home without having to migrate.
“The government also ensures that this family has received social assistance interventions, including the Family Hope Programme, basic food assistance, and health insurance,” Endah emphasised.