The Plain Story of Fendi, a Gunungkidul Boy Who Left School to Care for His Ailing Mother

Ahmad Tri Efendi (10), a boy from Dukuh Jeruken, Girisekar, Panggang, Gunungkidul, has been forced to leave school to care for his mother who is sick and paralysed. Below is the story of the boy known as Fendi, as recounted when met by a journalist at his home today.

The Gunungkidul Regional Government is currently working to enable Fendi to return to school. However, the youngest of three siblings appears reluctant to leave his mother, who spends her days bedridden.

During a visit, Fendi’s father was observed lying in a bed in the living room, speaking with difficulty. Fendi’s mother is in a nearby bedroom, also bedridden and frail. Fendi was sitting beside his mother.

Fendi spoke very little when asked about his desire to return to school, answering mainly with gestures.

“Mmm,” Fendi said whilst bowing his head when asked whether he wanted to return to school on Monday 16 March 2026.

When asked whether this was to care for his mother, Fendi nodded in agreement. He is very close to his mother, Siaminah (45).

“Yes (I want to care for mother),” Fendi said whilst nodding.

Daily, Fendi cares for his mother, helping her eat and drink, and keeping her company. He has even admitted to often staying up late into the night to watch over her.

“I give her water, hold her hand. Sometimes I sleep at 11 or 12 at night, waiting for her to fall asleep first,” he said softly.

When asked about his favourite subject, Fendi said he enjoys mathematics.

“I like addition, I once got 100,” he said.

“(My dream is) to become a police officer,” he added.

Regarding his hobbies, Fendi said he likes football.

“I like football, my favourite player is Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said.

How Fendi Came to Leave School

Ketua RT (community leader) Wahono said that Fendi was initially enrolled in school. However, when advancing from year one to year two, his mother became blind and the condition affected her nerves, eventually leading to paralysis.

“Because his mother became ill, Fendi stopped going to school. The reason he left was due to a lack of parental support, as both parents are unwell. And because Fendi depends on his mother for everything,” Wahono explained.

“So with no parental encouragement or support for his education and schooling, Fendi preferred to stay at home to look after his sick mother,” he continued.

Regarding the care Fendi provides, Wahono noted that Fendi’s father, Slamet (51), also suffers from nerve disease, which severely limits his mobility.

“Fendi is always caring for his mother, holding her hand and giving her water. Other tasks, like feeding her, are still done by his father. So Fendi is able to make his mother smile,” Wahono said.

Wahono also revealed that the school had previously offered Fendi the opportunity to return, but he declined. The same occurred when residents offered him a place at an orphanage foundation in Bantul.

“From the beginning, family members, relatives, and the school came to persuade him to continue his education, but Fendi still refused. Previously, someone from the community offered him a place at an orphanage foundation in Bantul at no cost. But he would only visit every few months, and Fendi did not want to,” Wahono said.

As previously reported, Gunungkidul Regent Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih explained the circumstances faced by Fendi and his family. Fendi had been forced to leave school for three years to care for his mother, who suffers from stroke and eye nerve damage that prevents her from seeing or performing daily activities.

Fendi’s father has also begun experiencing vision problems in the past year. Fendi’s elder sister continues to attend one of the state junior secondary schools in Gunungkidul.

“For Fendi’s education, the matter will be resolved by the Ministry of Religious Affairs through a good emotional approach, as Fendi studies at an Islamic school,” Endah said in a written statement on Sunday 15 March 2026.

“His sister is the responsibility of the Education Office, as she attends a state junior secondary school,” she added.

In addition to ensuring Fendi can return to school, the Gunungkidul Regional Government is also ensuring that Fendi’s parents receive healthcare services. The Health Office has coordinated to review the results of medical examinations for Fendi’s parents.