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From rags to riches
Top of the class: Dodo sings during a graduation ceremony at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java
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Top of the class: Dodo sings during a graduation ceremony at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java.
It's another crowded afternoon along Jl. Margonda in Depok, business as usual. A young man named Dodo emerges from Gang Kober (Kober Alley), where he lives, and jumps onto a bus plying the Depok-Lebak Bulus route. 'Good afternoon, sorry to cause a disruption. I just want to entertain you along the way'. Then he starts singing 'Treasure' by Bruno Mars.
Born Dzulfikar Akbar Cordova on July 21, 21 years ago in Bondowoso, East Java, Dodo is happy with his life. He lived nomadically with his father and brother across Sumatra and Java, mostly in Lampung, for about 10 years until he got stranded in Depok last year. He gets by busking, singing from one bus to another where he earns Rp 100,000 (US$7.44) a day.
A combination of hard work and desire to study paid off for this junior high school dropout. His life changed the day he found out about the free Sekolah Master (Master School), an informal school inside Depok Terminal, where he started taking classes after five years of no schooling. After earning his high school diploma, Dodo tried his luck by taking the highly competitive Joint Entrance Test for State Universities. Against all odds, Dodo beat out thousands of others for admission to the prestigious University of Indonesia (UI). Dodo is now enrolled at UI's School of Economy and Business majoring in Islamic economic studies.
This George Benson and Dewa 19 fan started performing in front of bigger audiences after passing the entrance exam, going from singing on a bus to live TV in front of the President during an Independence Day ceremony. He has also received financial assistance from various parties to support his daily needs.
But things haven't changed much for him. When asked whether he still enjoys singing on the street, he answered, 'Yes', he then added that he wanted to use the money he earned to fund his education and leisure activities. Then he sung his last song, ' Lelaki Pantang Menyerah (A Man Never Surrenders)', by D'Masiv. After the song, he collected money from the passengers. 'Thank you for your generosity and have a safe trip!' he said before jumping out of the moving bus and disappearing in a blink of an eye.
' Photo and text by JP/Seto Wardhana
