Aldi's Struggle to Preserve His Father's Dream and Legacy

DTPEDULI.ORG | BANDUNG - At three in the morning in Cibungbulang, Bogor, when the streets were still shrouded in silence, Aldi Permana was already braving the cold with his porridge cart. Traversing from Kebon Kelapa to Cibodas, he earned his livelihood until midday.

For this final-semester student of Islamic Economics at IUQI Bogor, trading was only the beginning of a long episode each day. After trading, Aldi changed roles and stood in front of the classroom as an English teacher at SMP and SMK Matla'ul Anwar until evening.

There was no break to rest. After teaching, he and his younger brother immediately rode their motorcycle to the field to ngarit, which is to search for livestock feed in the scorching heat of the dry season. Only when night fell, after the community's religious gathering, did he return to sit in front of his laptop to complete his thesis revisions.

The trials that befell Aldi were not light matters. Losing his job due to the pandemic, being left by his late father at the beginning of his studies, and accompanying his mother who struggled against diabetes once brought him to the brink of deciding to drop out of school. However, his mother's prayers and his late father's message to always take care of the family became a spark of spirit that could not be extinguished.

"My mother could not support me financially, but she supported me greatly through her prayers," Aldi recalled.

Aldi found his way when he was accepted into the DT Peduli Student Scholarship Care program. This educational assistance became the main support that kept his steps steady during critical times.

"If I had not received the scholarship, perhaps I would have stopped continuing my studies," Aldi admitted honestly.

Not stopping there, through the DT Peduli Prosperous Livestock Farmer Care program, the initial capital of six livestock that he received, he managed to develop diligently until it became dozens of productive assets supporting his household economy.

"No matter how difficult the problems we face, do not forget Allah. We never know which dua Allah will grant," he said.

Now, Aldi looks to the future with great optimism, "My hope is that in the future I will not only be a beneficiary, but become part of those who provide benefit."

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