Happy’s spirit, determination, and hard work have finally paid off. Despite coming from a low-income family and having a father who is ill, Happy’s enthusiasm for learning and achieving has not waned.
“Don’t give up easily, strive to the fullest, get closer to Allah, seek blessings and be kind, especially to your parents because Allah’s pleasure is in the pleasure of your parents. Study earnestly, Bismillah. Kun fayakun,” said Happy, recalling her journey before being accepted at UGM, Friday (7/26).
Happy is the only child of Giwarno and Ida Pertiwi from Kauman RT 01/RW 01 Bulurejo, Juwiring, Klaten, Central Java. Her mother works as a wood factory laborer, while her father has been unable to work due to a long illness with complications.
“Lung spots, diabetes, cholesterol, gout, hypertension, kidney disorders as well. At one point, he couldn’t get up and could only lie down. It lasted quite a while until it led to spinal bone deterioration. Now, he can walk slowly and still goes for regular check-ups at the hospital. He also routinely sunbathes every morning so his bones don’t deteriorate further,” said Happy, whose full name is Happy Putri Ginada.
Happy attended SMA Unggulan CT Arsa Foundation Sukoharjo, a boarding school with full scholarships for underprivileged but high-achieving families. In the early days of high school, Happy felt down as she was not used to boarding school life and initially ranked among the bottom 10 in her class. However, this did not last long. Happy caught up by studying independently after school hours.
“Honestly, at that time I felt very sad and down because I was used to being the top-ranked student in elementary and junior high school,” she recalled.
She studied alone in the classroom after school while her friends returned to the dormitory. She deepened the newly taught material by watching YouTube videos. This became her routine habit in high school. As a result, Happy’s grades gradually improved, and so did her ranking. She also became active in organizations like the student council and scouting. Moreover, she achieved several awards such as first place in the Psychology Vlog Competition organized by Jenderal Achmad Yani University, third place in a podcast competition by Ngudi Waluyo University, and was an awardee of the Smart Scholarship from YBM Brillian.
Happy’s efforts were not in vain. Her perseverance and achievements led her to be accepted into the Animal Science and Industry study program at the Faculty of Animal Science UGM through the SNBP pathway in 2024. She was also eligible for the zero tuition category from UGM.
“One prayer I never forgot and kept repeating was to pass the SNBP,” explained Happy.
Ida Pertiwi, Happy’s mother, expressed her pride and emotion over her only child being accepted at UGM. Initially, Ida did not agree with Happy’s choice of UGM due to concerns about being unable to afford the tuition fees given her salary of only about 1 million rupiahs.
“Yes, it’s touching to be accepted at UGM. Alhamdulillah,” said Ida.
Now, after being accepted at UGM, Happy has a new dream of becoming a successful livestock farmer. Fortunately, during her studies at UGM, Happy will be staying with her aunt.
Author: Satria
Translator: Prisilia Putri
Photo: Special Collection