Independent Through Scholarships
Safhira Alfarisi, 21, considers education a vital key to the transformation of one’s fate. For three years, she has been striving to realize a student’s dreams of studying overseas.
Safhira Alfarisi, Founder of 10,000 Scholarships.
Safhira Alfarisi, 21, considers education a vital key to the transformation of one’s fate. For three years, she has been striving to realize a student’s dreams of studying overseas. She hopes that young people wishing to study abroad will no longer face cost constraints.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Safhira frequently serves as a speaker for online programs. She charges Rp 25,000 (US$1.77) to make her seminars affordable for youths coming from disadvantaged families.
“If I had lots of money, to be frank, I would do it for free. But I’m also in need. I just like sharing so that young people won’t surrender their attempts to fulfill their dreams under limitations,” said Safhira when contacted from Bekasi, West Java, on June 4 (4/6/2020).
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Safhira never ceases to be on the move and never gives up hope in the face of challenges for her effort to promote education in Indonesia. Since she graduated from a diploma study program, she has been determined not to apply for a job but to open her own business instead.
“Before the COVID-19 outbreak, I went to various cities six to seven times per month to share motivations concerning students as achievers, youths and women. This activity was also a source of income to help my family, but now it has come to a halt,” said Safhira.
In 2017, Safhira and her peers initiated an overseas student exchange scholarship scheme, the International Youth Summit (IYS) under Xchange Hamada. For the continuity of social and education programs, she boosted the activity by setting up a scholarship foundation, Yayasan Beasiswa 10,000, in 2018.
“I feel blessed to have studied with a scholarship. I’ve made a platform for youths to be active in education. Many people out there are still in need of educational assistance. I’m eagerly willing to support,” Safhira said.
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Safhira Alfarisi
Coming from a modest family, Safhira has always attempted to make her dreams come true. Even when her longing to study abroad was hampered she would not give up.
As a school student, Safhira had high achievements and later studied under a vocational program of IPB University, Bogor, West Java, in 2016 with a scholarship from Bank Permata Syariah. Since then, she has pledged to do good deeds through education.
She related that her father was a construction worker and her unemployed mother worked hard to meet the needs of seven children. Safhira underwent a difficult time but she was able to pay for her own school fees and buy textbooks. She was not reluctant to sell fried snacks and popsicles to earn some money for her continued schooling. Under the tough conditions of life, she became motivated to achieve
I was already helped. So I’ve got to do something for Indonesian education.
With her interest in studying communications, Safhira tried with all her might to make the best senior high school performance. As a result, she was invited to join an IPB vocational program without being tested. However, she had to pay a Rp 6 million entrance fee.
“The study seemed impossible in view of my family’s financial condition. It was true, Abi [father] opposed my study as my younger siblings still needed schooling costs,” she said.
This confused Safhira, prompting her to go to a mosque near her home. She was praying in tears in the month of Ramadan. Unexpectedly, a woman approached her and asked what happened. Without hesitation, Safhira revealed her problem and she was just offered a scholarship for the study and support for daily needs.
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“I resolved not to merely study, score a high grade point, pass cum laude and get a job. I was already helped. So I’ve got to do something for Indonesian education,” said Safhira, who graduated from the vocational program in September 2019 and secured a scholarship from IPB University for a first-degree program.
Safhira Alfarisi (left) dialogue with Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim.
Her determination to support Indonesian education was triggered by her campus lecturer’s rejection. At the time, the campus was planning a study tour with overseas (Malaysia and Singapore) and domestic (Yogyakarta) options. She requested a time extension to enable her to find a sponsor.
“I was sort of broken hearted as the lecturer said if there wasn’t enough money yet, just pick the Yogyakarta tour. I felt so sad,” she recalled.
Undaunted, Safhira invited her peers to create an overseas student exchange scheme, which resulted in the IYS program under Xchange Hamada. Safhira and her team have processed the concept of a first student exchange to Singapore-Malaysia. Those selected can join the IYS program free of charge. They are required to send essays, pay a Rp100,000 registration fee and promote the program on social media.
The first IYS registrants for Malaysia and Singapore totaled 2,000 and 50 were selected. In a year, Yayasan Beasiswa 10,000 can arrange three IYS programs.
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“I apply the principle of mutual assistance. With open competition, everybody has a chance to join, Through our program, whoever can go abroad at the registration cost of Rp 100,000. We’re also seeking sponsors to increase the funds accumulated so that the IYS program can proceed,” Safhira added.
The overwhelming response to the IYS program led Safhira to expand her efforts. She joined hands with her two best friends, Amirah Rachawati (University of Indonesia student) and Krisdianto Toro (Jakarta State Polytechnic student) to establish Yayasan Beasiswa 10,000 in 2018. The IYS Program was later named Millennial or M-Power as a scheme of Beasiswa 10,000.
Beasiswa 10,000 means that everybody can join the movement to support education. A minimum donation of Rp 10,000 can be provided by anybody to promote various educational programs.
Safhira Alfarisi
Born: Jakarta, Oct. 7 , 1998
Education:
- Gembira Integrated Islamic Primary School (2004-2010)
- State Junior High School 20 Bekasi (2010-2013)
- State Senior High School 6 Bekasi (2013-2016)
- IPB University Diploma (2016-2019)
Achievements, including:
- Champion, National Achiever Student 2019, Diploma Program Category, Research, Technology and Higher Education Ministry (2019)
- The Most Inspiring Student in the National Achiever Student forum (2019)
- Best Delegate, Indonesia Youth Action, National Level (2017).
