Widow succeeds in putting children through school with YUM support
Cipanas – Linda, a mother of two, was widowed in 2008 after her husband’s struggle with diabetes ended. She was suddenly the sole provider and caregiver for their two children, ages ten and thirteen. Linda opened a small shop in front of her home, in hopes of providing for her family. Earning about $30 per month, Linda struggles to afford basic food needs for her family, often having to ask help from her own father who sells vegetables at the local market.
Linda dreams of a better life for her children. She believes an education is the gateway which will fulfill this dream. Linda did not know how she could afford to send her children to school, as uniform and education expenses far exceeded her income.
Linda was approached by the Project Manager of Cipanas YUM Village, a community center in West Java. Linda was offered a scholarship, which would cover uniform and educational expenses, for her 13-year-old son, Muhammad Rifky.
Today, three years later, Rifky is in 7th grade and has now been accepted to one of the best schools in the Cipanas area. He enjoys studying, especially math, and is one of the top students. “Rifky is so much more motivated now. He loves going to the Cipanas YUM Village everyday to read books at the library and participate in the English and Computer classes at the Vocational Training Center” Linda says.
Rifky’s older sisterwill be graduating high school in 2 years. She loves school and wishes to study chemistry at a national university in Bogor. “I am positive that if she works hard, she will also find a scholarship to go to university,” says Linda.
YUM shares in the dreams of the Indonesian people: Good education for Linda’s children.
