When forgotten hopes find a home at Sekolah Rakyat

A fiery red Cirebon kelana mask covers almost the entire face of Daniella Lisyanti Herpang. Only her eyes are visible through the small front holes, catching every cue from the instructor. In the grounds of Sekolah Rakyat Terintegrasi 1 Kota Cirebon, West Java, the Year VII B student, affectionately known as Olif, dances to the rhythm of the music. Her arms swing, bend, and pause in a motion that gradually blends more seamlessly with her friends. The blazing midday sun on Wednesday (17/6) did not dampen her spirit. Sweat soaked her temples. Occasionally, she removed the mask to wipe her face before rejoining the rhythm. Not every movement was perfect. Sometimes Olif’s steps lagged behind the beat, drawing laughter from her friends. When met by ANTARA during a break in training, Olif confessed her love for dance had grown since childhood. Whenever a mask dance or jaipongan performance was held near her home, she refused to leave until the show ended. The admiration that initially grew from the audience seats slowly transformed into a desire to stand on the stage. The opportunity came when Sekolah Rakyat opened arts activities. Not long after, Olif was already experiencing the atmosphere of the city-level National Student Arts Festival and Competition (FLS2N). “The result of that competition was, we lost,” she said with a chuckle. Rather than giving up, she was undeterred because the defeat actually extended her list of dreams. Olif wants to own her own art studio and one day take Cirebon’s distinctive dance beyond the country’s borders. “Perhaps, I can participate in a dance performance in Japan,” she said. In the past, she hardly dared to hang onto such dreams. After graduating from primary school, her family’s economic limitations nearly buried her hope of wearing a uniform again. Her father, who works odd jobs, then suggested she consider Sekolah Rakyat. Although she was initially hesitant about living far from home, the doubt gradually faded. At Sekolah Rakyat, Olif found an environment where she felt accepted. According to her, teachers, foster guardians, and even the headmaster are always ready to help when students face difficulties. English has become the subject she most looks forward to. Word-guessing games and various classroom activities make the learning process feel light. Weekends never feel empty. Students make handicrafts, watch history-themed films, and take leisurely walks outside the school grounds. “Basically, I like thinking about all the activities, what we’ll do tomorrow and what the activities are so we don’t get bored,” she said. The biggest change, however, has come in her daily habits. Now, the five daily prayers, reading the Quran, and memorising verses have become routines she strives to maintain. At Sekolah Rakyat, learning needs and daily meals are provided. Uniforms, books, stationery, and other basic necessities are no longer a burden her family has to worry about. “Learning needs, food, and school supplies are all available. So parents don’t have to worry about anything. The important thing is that the children learn,” she stressed. Now, her anxieties have shifted direction. Her mind is instead filled with dance steps she wants to continue perfecting, until one day they carry her to a wider stage, even across national borders.