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| please make higher education free for everyone |
Dear haniwww,
Yesterday I spent big money for my brother's tuition. It's his first time entering college, after been waiting for around 5 years. Yes, he actually graduated from high school 5 years ago, intended to work to pay his own bills, and yes, he did it, he worked and earned some money, but even until months ago, I asked him whether he already have sufficient money or not for his study, he didn't give any satisfying answer. I know how that feels, and I know that it can go long until he get what he wants. I know that he's confused and has no many options to make. The problem is, he's a man, he cant keep living like that until no time. Our parents are getting older too, and I'm sure they expect the situation can be better. So I took an initiative. I asked my brother to enter college this year. At the first time, he did not even sure what major he should take, beside off course still no clue where he can get the money. But then we discussed and I advised him to take the same major as mine, which is informatics. He used to think that he should take civil engineering, because his high school was concerned in related field, but after gave some perspectives, he agreed with me that he would take informatics. Regarding the fee, I actually could not give him certainty, but I promised to him and our parents that I will work hard for that, even though my condition was not really well either, but that is me, always take risk without any further thinking, just focused on the goal and pray to God to help. I prefer not thinking that it would take at least four years until he finish his study. I just do what I can do at the time. No more waiting, it should started right away. Five years is enough to make my brother think about how hard to get money, so I think he can appreciate it more. But me will always be me. To make him be more responsible of his study, I told him that all money that I spend for him would be his debt. I will ask for it one day when he can make decent salary. And he agreed. While deep down, I tell myself that I don't really care about it.
Long story short, today is the day. I gave him the money and I felt broke afterwards. While doing my own things, I knew that I have to start thinking about my life plan after this. Somehow, I felt like I can imagine of being a parent, have more energy to work because you know someone is depend on you. I was overwhelmed with the feeling so I tried to sit calmly and think.
Minutes later, my mother called. She said that she just came back from the campus to accompany my brother. They paid the tuition fee and every thing, my brother got the "uniform" and my mother had to come on certain date. From her voice and expression, I knew that she's feeling happy, she told me about her history visiting the exact campus and never imagine that her son would be studying there one day. Listening to her voice, I couldn't hold my feeling and catch my breath. I just quiet and smile. Then I think to myself: "well, Hani.. It's worth it".
Jakarta, early August, a week before Idul Adha,
hoping my condition will be better in the upcoming months
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