The aroma of food being prepared at two o’clock in the morning marks the beginning of the day for the family of Muhammad Fathan Khairul Muna R (17). While most people are still asleep, his mother is already busy cooking various dishes for sale. Before sunrise, Fathan takes on his role by accompanying his mother to deliver food to the canteen at SMA Negeri 8 Pekanbaru, where she earns a living and where he also attends school. Afterward, he puts on his uniform and begins his day as an ordinary high school student.
This routine became part of Fathan’s life after his father passed away in November 2024. His father’s death brought profound grief and significantly changed the family’s circumstances. His mother, Rida Rahayu, became the family’s sole breadwinner, continuing the culinary business she had built over the years.
Together with his mother and older sister, Fathan persevered through each day as he pursued his dream of studying Accounting at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM).
The moment he had long awaited finally arrived when the results of the 2026 National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP) were announced. Rather than checking the results immediately, Fathan chose to wait until he could do so together with his mother and sister. The three of them were filled with both anxiety and hope. Before they even opened the announcement page, congratulatory messages from teachers and friends began flooding his phone.
Tears of joy streamed down his face when he saw the blue acceptance mark on the website. He immediately embraced his mother and sister. Their happiness grew even greater when, a few days later, he was informed that he had received a 100 percent tuition fee subsidy from UGM.
“Being given such an opportunity means that God has allowed and entrusted me to take responsibility for my choice. I do not want to waste this opportunity,” he said with determination.
Prioritizing Education
Behind this achievement lies the story of his mother’s unwavering dedication. Rida Rahayu, a graduate of Culinary Education, has long supported her family through various culinary ventures, ranging from catering orders for university students and home-based businesses to operating a stall in a school canteen.
The sudden passing of her husband, who had been battling mild stroke complications and diabetes, was a tremendous blow to the family. Since then, she has relied on income from the school canteen and her late husband’s pension to support the household. Despite these challenges, education has always remained a top priority in their family.
“Ever since high school, I have had a strong desire to pursue higher education. I enjoy learning and meeting new people to broaden my perspective. My mother has always supported me in whatever path I choose, even when it differs from what she originally envisioned. She trusts me and believes in my decisions,” Fathan shared.
His interest in economics, particularly finance, began during junior high school when he actively participated in academic competitions, including economics olympiads. This interest continued to grow throughout high school.
“I realized that economics, especially accounting, is closely connected to everyday life. I also enjoy things that are structured and systematic, which inspired me to choose Accounting as my field of study,” he explained.
Learning from Failure
Fathan began preparing for his dream university as soon as he entered high school. He consistently maintained strong academic performance, knowing that his school assessed academic achievement from the first through fifth semesters. He paid particular attention to economics courses when selecting his academic concentration to support his aspiration of entering the Accounting program.
Beyond academics, Fathan was encouraged by a supportive environment that motivated him to participate in various competitions. One of his most memorable achievements was winning Second Place in a Constitutional Quiz Competition organized by the Constitutional Court of Indonesia at the regional level in Sumatra. During his final year of high school, he also received the 4698 Scholarship, awarded by the the school’s alums to support his educational needs.
He admitted he had been disappointed after numerous setbacks in competitions. However, these experiences motivated him to continue challenging himself in both academic and non-academic contests. For him, every failure is not the end of the journey but part of a process through which God prepares a better opportunity in the future.
“At first, I felt sad about losing so many competitions. But those experiences encouraged me to keep trying and to participate in more academic and non-academic contests. The principle I always hold onto is that failure does not mark the end of the journey; it is a sign that God is preparing a better path ahead,” he said.
Fathan also recalled moments when he felt insecure and left behind by peers who seemed more accomplished. A quote from Prince Diponegoro, which he encountered while browsing social media, left a lasting impression on him.
“We should never be satisfied with what we have already learned. The more eager we are to learn, the more open our minds become, and the clearer our days will be. Even now, I continue learning, learning, and learning. Every new thing I discover brings joy and excitement,” he reflected.
Bringing His Dreams to Yogyakarta
Starting a new life in Yogyakarta naturally makes Fathan feel nervous. For the first time, he will live far away from his family. However, his experiences competing outside his hometown have helped prepare him to adapt to independent student life. His family has also equipped him with essential life skills.
The two people who have played the most significant roles in Fathan’s journey are his mother and older sister. His mother has always assured him that no dream is impossible if one is willing to work hard. Meanwhile, his sister has continuously provided both moral and financial support throughout his educational journey.
Now, Fathan is preparing to begin a new chapter as a student at FEB UGM. Despite the challenges he has faced, he firmly believes that no dream is too ambitious as long as one remains committed to pursuing it.
“If our dreams are far away, we will continue searching for ways to reach them. Nothing is impossible because we are the ones who dare to dream in the first place,” he concluded.
As Fathan prepares for his new life away from home, his mother hopes that he will become a successful individual while upholding the values instilled by their family.
“If I am blessed with a long life, I want to see Fathan grow into a successful person who still cares for his mother. I ask for nothing more than to see my son become a good and happy person,” she said.
Reportage: Shofi Hawa Anjani
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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