SLEMAN - Have you ever watched the Si Doel Anak Sekolahan television series? This famous television series in the 90s tells the story of an oplet driver child who successfully graduated as an engineer.

The story of Ruby, a young man from Indramayu, West Java, is almost the same as Si Doe’sl. Ruby Stanu Wijaya is a child of a sand truck driver with a poor economic background. Even so, the shortcomings did not prevent his dream of going to college.

"My parents was worried about the costs. Moreover, I study in anoher city”, he said on Saturday (1/12/2019).

Luckily, Ruby became one of the recipients of the Bidikmisi program scholarship from the government. Having this scholarship, the young man who was born in Indramayu, December 6, 1995 was recorded as a student of the Management Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarta (UPNVY).

Being a student in another city made Ruby have to be able to save money. He also did not want to burden his father to send pocket money every month.

To add to his pocket money, Ruby once made food that he put in some stalls near the campus.

"I cook myself; I got the recipes from my brother, but my business broke because some stall owners did not pay me".

Failure in the culinary business did not make him be down; he again tried to sell soft drinks from Thailand which was very popular among young people. His business was successful and profitable this time, but he left it because of his busy schedule.

"At the end of the semester I finally became a cafe guard. In principle, I have to work so that I don’t  bother my parents for money”, told the third child of Sunardi and Sokenah couples.

Ruby told that he was the only child in the family who became a student. Both of his parents did not graduate from elementary school, and his two older siblings were only able to have high school education.

"No other family member has ever been able to go to college. So, I am the only child who can go to college, "he said.

The pride of being a student is not only felt by his family, but also by the residents in his hometown in Tugu Village, Sliyeg District, Indramayu Regency.

Ruby said, when they heard the news of his graduation, they were happy and wished to attend the graduation procession.

Ruby admitted that it was very rare for a child to become a scholar in his village, especially from poor families. After graduating from school, young people usually work as heavers, laborers, or Indonesian migrant workers.

"Actually in my village there are scholars but they are usually from the rich families. There is no one  from a family with an economy background as mine, the neighbors were happy. "Ruby said.

During the graduation procession, Ruby was escorted by around 60 families and villagers. They traveled about seven hours to Yogyakarta to participate in watching one of their village youths become a scholars.

"I am happy and very touched, especially the residents rent a bus to get here. They saved money to see me graduate".

Ruby hopes that his success in becoming a graduate can also be followed by teenagers in his village who have economic limitations. (wwj / PR)