GUNUNGKIDUL —-— On the first day of Ramadan 1443 #JadiManfaat, Sunday (April 3, 2022), Dompet Dhuafa distributed Ramadan parcels containing food packages to teachers in remote areas of Gunungkidul. A total of 6 (six) teachers from the Private Elementary Madrasah (MIS) YAPPI TEGALWERU in Trosari 2, Tepus Village, Tepus District, Gunungkidul Regency received these trust packages from donors entrusted to Dompet Dhuafa.
Imam Hidayat, Social & Development Supervisor at Dompet Dhuafa Yogyakarta, said that these teachers have proven their dedication to education in remote areas of Indonesia. Tepus, Gunungkidul, is a difficult to access area and is even prone to natural disasters.
“There is a female teacher here who has a high level of dedication to the education of Tepus children. She pursued studies in Islamic education to support her efforts in educating the young generation of Tepus,” said Imam.
That strong woman is Suryanti (43). She has devoted herself to MI YAPPI as an educator since 2009, or 13 years. Her deep affection and understanding of every child has led to her current position teaching first grade elementary school students.
According to Sur, what makes her happy and proud is when her students achieve something, whether it be academic or non-academic.
“I heard that a graduate from here became the top student in junior high school and even won several tahfidz competitions. That made me feel very proud and happy,” she said.
At home, in Klumpit Hamlet, Tepus Village, Tepus District, Sur lives with her mother and husband. To meet household needs, she runs a clothing store and laundry service at home. Her husband works as an employee at a foundation.
He recounted his daily activities, which include leaving for school at 7 a.m. to teach. His home is approximately 3 km from the school, and the road is winding and rocky. To get to school, he usually rides his motorcycle, which takes about 15 minutes. After returning from school in the afternoon, he opens his shop and laundry service.
As an ordinary person with many activities, there may be some activities that he has to give up due to certain circumstances. However, for Sur, this does not apply to teaching. According to him, there is nothing that can force him not to go to school to teach.
Although the honorarium he receives is not nearly enough to support his family, he does not complain. Because he knows that teaching is a form of service, not a means of making money.
“Actually, it’s not enough. That’s why I have to have a side job selling things. Sometimes my husband and I also raise livestock and farm,” he said. (Dompet Dhuafa / Muthohar)