J

une 11, p2

Mugiyono, a becak (pedicab) driver in the Central Java city of Semarang, burst into tears when his youngest daughter, Raeni, 21, graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from Semarang State University, earning a performance score of 3.96.

'I'm very grateful. My daughter has become a university graduate thanks to God's mercy. We are a poor family. I never imagined I would be able to afford to send my child to university. She is the only person in our extended family to become a university graduate,' Mugiyono told The Jakarta Post while attending the graduation ceremony on Tuesday.

Born on Jan. 13, 1993, Raeni, who was raised by Mugiyono and her mother, Sujamah, in Kendal, another town in Central Java, was named the top performing graduate in the class of 955 students. 'I have a passion for studying,' said Raeni.

Your comments:

Congratulations Raeni! I am very proud of you! I showed this news to my grandchildren.

They said this is like a fairy tale about a young lady from a very humble family who has to work very hard against all odds until she finally manages to earn her degree.

Robby Kaware

I almost cried reading this beautiful story. Indonesia has finally arrived! It used to be that no money meant no schooling and rich people did not even have to study to graduate.

Now, there's a bit of a level playing field, not much but it's a start and at last it exists.

What we need is for every university in Indonesia to take heed and give recognition where it's due and not to stick to the greedy and corrupt attitudes that rule them all the time.

And for those who can afford it, give and give generously to those who want to and have a passion to study and excel.

There should be lots of scholarships (like China) to help those in need of help.

Pauloh

She is beautiful, smart and simple. I am really happy and sad to read the story of the life of Raeni.

I hope you can continue your master's degree abroad in England. Good luck Mbak.

Deri Wijayakusum

It is good news. Bring on more of the benefits of an open democratic society.

Of course we know it is still a long way, but maybe it is the birth of the Indonesian dream.

Kantisini

It is nice to see the money her father earned was well spent.

Batik

This is the best news I've read in a while.  Her father must be very proud of her and the fact they went together to the graduation on his becak just completes it.  What a beautiful picture! We need more of these stories.

Major Tom

It's so touching. I wish everyone in Indonesia could see that an honest, earnest, humble, thrifty and hardworking individual deserves excellent academic achievement. Thank God finally I hear such very good news.

This ideal picture is in comparison to those overnight degree thieves who pay a ransom of tens of millions of rupiah to skip normal schooling.

John

This could make me cry, it's so beautiful! It just shows that no one should limit themselves, you should only push yourself and you can achieve anything. I'm so happy for Raeni! More so, that she is proud to be taken by her father for graduation. So wonderful to see!

Tempe