Viral: Kid saves up Rp 1 million in Rp 1,000 coins for years so he can buy HS uniforms without help from low-income parents

Photo: Facebook/Yuni Rusmini
Photo: Facebook/Yuni Rusmini

While many kids his age save up money to buy smartphones or gaming consoles, 16-year-old Duta Eka Prasetya from Magelang, Central Java, whose family is desperately poor, saved up money for years so he could get a proper education.

Recently, Duta went to enroll in an Islamic high school, Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 1 Magelang, carrying a heap of Rp 1,000 coins worth Rp 1 million (US$75). Photos of this unusual sight were posted on Facebook on June 20, and the post has already gone massively viral after being shared over 16,000 times at the time of writing, with netizens believing that Duta was using the money to pay for his tuition.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1745906632091716&set=a.281950135154047.91469.100000171893229&type=3&theater

MAN 1 Magelang principal Kasnawi confirmed that Duta brought Rp 1 million in coins to them, but clarified that Duta was actually using them to buy four sets of uniforms worth Rp 925,000 in order to attend the school.

After talking to the kid, Kasnawi told the media that Duta had been saving the money since Grade 3 so that he wouldn’t have to ask for money from his parents.

“This kid became the center of attention at the school. After he enrolled we discussed things with him. We checked his house, it’s true that they’re unable (financially),” Kasnawi told Detik yesterday.

“His parents work as parking attendants at a hospital. At home, he has a grandma named Sukiah who has a spinal cord injury and is diabetic.”

To the immense credit of the school, they refused to accept Duta’s money, instead giving him the uniforms for free and creating a bank account for him where he can save his money.

“Money shouldn’t be a stumbling block to go to school. What’s important is that this kid is enrolled and we educate him. Because this kid has good morals, high determination, his academic performance won’t matter too much,” Kasnawi told Kompas.

In addition, teachers at the school and locals have donated money to Duta for his education. Duta, who wishes one day to be an IT expert, was elated by his unexpected good fortune and promised not to disappoint everybody who helped him.

“I’m happy, so grateful to Allah because so many helped me. The school also accepted me,” he said.



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