My name is Fiqri, and I am one of the many fortunate alumni of Yayasan Cipta Mandiri (YCM). I come from a family of five, with three older sisters and an older brother. Since birth, my second sister has lived with my grandmother. My father has been unemployed since I was in elementary school, and my mother, despite her best efforts, could only provide for us with a small stall (warung) in front of our rented home. Although her hard work was admirable, the income wasn’t enough to meet our financial needs. During that time, my oldest sister was already working and became responsible for covering our monthly rent. As my other siblings started working, they also contributed to supporting our family. Today, I am the only one still living with my parents, while my siblings have married and started their own families.
Growing up, I was always deeply focused on my studies, determined to make the most of every opportunity. However, there were moments when financial struggles forced me to stay home instead of attending school, as my parents couldn’t afford the fees. Despite these challenges, my father reached out to my schools, explaining our financial difficulties and requesting that I be allowed to continue my education. His persistence paid off, and I graduated high school in 2016 with excellent grades.
After high school, I was fortunate enough to be offered a scholarship to study at a university in Bandung. However, due to the inability to pay for admission fees and the financial burden of relocating, I had to decline the offer. This setback left me uncertain about my next steps. With no skills to pursue a job, I spent a few months unsure of my future until a friend introduced me to YCM in August 2016.
Joining YCM was a turning point in my life. Initially, my only goal was to improve my English skills, but what I gained from the program was far more than I had ever imagined. At YCM, I not only learned English but also developed a wide range of skills, from photography and editing to leadership and communication. These experiences expanded my horizons and helped me grow both professionally and personally. Over time, I gained confidence in my abilities, including public speaking and presenting in front of large audiences—skills I never thought I could acquire.
In October 2017, I received a scholarship to pursue a degree in accounting at a university in Bogor. During my first semester, I achieved a perfect GPA and continued to maintain excellent grades throughout my studies. I also worked as a freelancer in a restaurant on weekends while remaining actively involved in YCM.
YCM played a significant role in shaping my academic and career path. Through the foundation, I learned the importance of perseverance, self-motivation, and the power of education. In 2019, I began volunteering at YCM as a tutor, sharing the knowledge I had gained with others. By 2021, I started working as an accounting staff member while continuing my tutoring role until August 2023.
After graduating from university, I was eager to seek new opportunities and further expand my professional experience. I joined JoeCollin, a jewelry company in Jakarta, as a Finance & Accounting Officer, where I worked for a year. In July 2024, I moved to PT Captain Asia Sukes (Captain Barbershop) as a Finance Officer (Account Payable). Currently, I serve as a Finance Assistant in the Grants Team at CIFOR.
I am deeply grateful to YCM for providing me with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to transform my life. Thanks to YCM’s support, I have overcome many obstacles, achieved my academic and professional goals, and am now on a path to creating a better future for myself and my family.
I believe that with determination, support, and a strong will to never give up, anyone can overcome life’s challenges and realize their dreams.