GUNUNGKIDUL —-— Launching the hashtag #JadiManfaat during Ramadan 1443 H / 2022 M, Dompet Dhuafa distributed Ramadan food packages to teachers in remote areas of Gunungkidul. On Sunday (April 3, 2022), coinciding with the first day of Ramadan 1443 H, the Dompet Dhuafa team visited six teachers from the YAPPI TEGALWERU Private Madrasah Ibtidaiyyah (MIS) in Trosari 2, Tepus Village, Tepus District, Gunungkidul Regency. These teachers have shown great dedication to Indonesian education. One of them has even reached retirement age but is still willing to serve the young generation of Tepus.
The retired teacher’s name is Sadari, a 61-year-old man born in Tepus. He has devoted himself to teaching at MI YAPPI for 20 years since 2002. He feels that educating the children of Tepus is his duty. Being able to guide his students to success is something he is very proud of.
He said that being a teacher is a form of service. There is no point in becoming a teacher just to earn a salary. Like other honorary teachers, to meet his family’s daily needs, he works in the fields to grow raw food ingredients. Not only that, he is also willing to work as a day laborer to meet various needs. Even after retirement, he is still willing to be asked by the school to continue teaching.
“Many graduates here are actually able to live better lives than before. Teachers enjoy their work even though they don’t get paid, because they can share their knowledge so that children can learn and be equipped to move forward. If it’s about money, there is no money here. If you want to make money, go to the fields,” he said wisely.
When discussing teachers’ salaries, Mr. Sadari, who is now retired, was not particularly keen to respond. This is because he does not depend on his salary as an honorary teacher to support himself. Moreover, with his retired status, his salary is certainly smaller than before. He finally admitted that he receives a salary of Rp250,000 per month.
Mr. Sadari’s desire to teach grew stronger as he devoted himself to educating the children of Tepus. He did not consider his salary, which was not commensurate with his efforts. He said that teaching was a struggle.
“Now it is truly a struggle. Yes, I am just grateful for what I have,” he said.
Every afternoon after school, he rushes to the barn to check on and feed his livestock. Additionally, he occasionally goes to the fields to farm or work as a farm laborer. (Dompet Dhuafa / Muthohar)