Because of the tidal waves “tsunami” that struck wide coastal parts of Southeast Asia in 2004, the child “Putri Ayu Andra” from the Aceh region of Indonesia lost her father. But the suffering of an orphan she went through did not stop her from excelling in her studies. She succeeded in entering the faculty of engineering at “Syiah Kuala” University, a university that accepts only the academically distinguished. Her academic excellence also did not stand between her and memorizing the Book of God, and even teaching it voluntarily to the children of her village. Not to mention developing her talents and abilities, among them Arabic calligraphy.
Educating orphans is the part that makes the long-term difference in sponsorship, detailed in the guide Sponsoring a Student of Knowledge: Your Complete Guide.
The orphan Putri’s journey with academic excellence began in childhood
The success story we adapted from the book Witness to Success concerns the orphan Putri. Qatar Charity provided her sponsorship from first grade of primary school until she finished secondary school. Then it gave her a student of knowledge sponsorship at the university stage starting from the academic year (2017 – 2018).
That had a great effect on the success she has achieved so far. Especially as Qatar Charity takes care to give priority in student of knowledge sponsorships to academically excellent orphans after they reach the age of eighteen.
Putri says that the monthly sponsorship amount was the best help in paying school fees and buying the school uniform, books, notebooks and stationery she needed, not to mention joining reinforcement classes when needed.
This resource also helped her focus on her academic achievement and develop her talents and abilities. It kept the specter of need and want away from her and her family, after they lost their provider when she was a small child because of the “tsunami”.
Putri was among the high achievers throughout her years of study in the basic and secondary stages. But her joy knew no bounds when she was accepted into the technology department at the Faculty of Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, because it is a university that accepts only outstanding students.
Arabic calligraphy
But the orphan Putri’s excellence was not limited to study. Her distinction included other aspects. With her high determination she memorized the Holy Book of God, and did not stop there but began teaching it to the children of her village at one of the Quran memorization institutes, following the Prophetic hadith: “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” She also has multiple talents and abilities. She is skilled at bag weaving, sewing and flower arranging. But she is most distinguished in the art of Arabic calligraphy, which she loved and learned from childhood. She won more than one Arabic calligraphy competition she took part in over the past years.
Putri looks confidently to the future. She hopes to continue her higher studies after finishing the university stage to become a university teacher. She also intends to continue her voluntary efforts in teaching children the Holy Quran, and training them in the skills she is good at. She also hopes to be given the chance to care for and sponsor some orphans in particular, just as God provided someone to sponsor her since she was small.
Putri is proud of her mother, who gave birth to her and who sacrificed, stayed up nights and tired herself bearing the burdens of raising her and her brothers and sisters and the responsibility of running the home alone after her father’s death. She prays to God to enable her to make her happy and care for her, and to make the Garden of Paradise her abode on the day she meets Him, glory be to Him the Almighty.
A precious wish … meeting the family that sponsored her
Putri has a wish she would like to come true. Her wish is to meet the family that sponsored her to give them her deep gratitude and many thanks for what they gave, and give, her. Though she knows full well that words remain unable to give them the appreciation and gratitude they deserve.
Putri also did not forget the group of orphans, of whom she is a part, in the flow of her talk. She gave them a moving piece of advice in a few words from the reality of her experience, saying to them:
“Be a source of pride for your parents and for whoever sponsored you and was kind to you. Even if we are orphans or children of families of limited income, through knowledge and perseverance we are strong and useful elements for our homelands and our nation.”
The article is published in the second part of the book Witness to Success from Qatar Charity, download your copy now
Frequently asked questions about educating orphans
Why is educating orphans a priority over other forms of care?
Because maintenance meets today’s need while education meets a lifetime’s need. Orphans who complete their education leave the circle of dependence on support, which is the difference between aid that is consumed and aid on which a whole life is built.
Does orphan sponsorship cover school expenses?
Yes, sponsorship usually includes school fees, supplies, uniform and transport alongside maintenance and health care. Coverage varies by country and stage, and it is followed up yearly through reports sent to the sponsor.
How do natural disasters affect children’s education?
They destroy schools, displace families and cut the road to the classroom, and their effect lasts for years after the disaster ends. Children who drop out during them are the least likely to return, which is why restoring education is included in the early response and not after the situation settles.
How do I sponsor an orphan and support their education?
Through Qatar Charity’s orphan sponsorship programs or the Rafaqa platform. You choose the country and the type of sponsorship, and sponsorship is annual and renewable, and you receive periodic reports on the sponsored child’s educational and health situation.
