SLEMAN - Despite being an inadequate family, Bertha Olivera Liveria has an excellent academic ability. For her achievement, she was accepted as a new student of Information System Study Program of Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Yogyakarta (UPNVY) through Bidik Misi program.

Bertha is one of 148 new students of Bidik Misi scholarship participants through the National Selection Sign In State University (SNMPTN) at UPNVY. This Nias woman felt very grateful for her success in UPNVY.

She had admitted that it was impossible for her to study in UPNVY. Her limited family economic condition almost buried her dream of continuing her education to college.

Bertha revealed, her family sustains life from the hard work of her parents selling groceries. The money earned from a day of selling is nothing compared to the daily needs of her family.

"Our family can have 60 - 80 thousand rupiahs or less for a day of selling. My siblings graduated from high school cannot go to college because there is no cost, my three younger siblings are still small and need school fees, "said the woman born in Teluk Dalam, June 19, 2001 when was encountered during re-registration at UPN Condong Catur Campus on Tuesday (8/5/2018 ).

Bertha told that every morning before going to school she and her brother helped her parents to arrange the vegetables and groceries from the market on the shop table.

The child of both partners Krispinus Gowasa and Elfrida Pangaribuan revealed that her family lives in Telukdalam sub-district, South Nias district, at a shop measuring about 4 x 12 meters, asbestos roof with half concrete mending. This shop has two floors with a wooden barrier used as a warehouse. Inside the shop, there are two rooms, one room as a shop and a room was blocked by board into three bedrooms.

During her elementary to high school education, Bertha was a recipient of Poor Student Assistance (BSM) from the South Nias District Government. With that help, she could go for the schools for free.

In the midst of limitations, her extended family supports her. Even her relatives joining for lending some  money for her travel expenses from Nias to Jakarta.

"I went for 12 hours from Nias to Sibolga by ship. It took 10 hours by bus from Sibolga to Medan, then to Jakarta, it took three days two nights by bus or 3 hours by plane. Siblings of fathers and mothers jointly lent some money to pay for tickets, " she said.

Bertha acknowledged the support of her parents and extended family in encouraging her to go to college. In addition, the membership to be one of the recipients of Bidik Misi program makes her be more confident in establishing a step to become a student.

"I will try my best and will do anything to achieve my dream," she said. (wwj / humas)