Jakarta – The presence of the People’s School is not only a place to gain knowledge, but is a place to build students’ character and self-confidence. This is what one of the students at Junior High School (SRMP) 10 Cibinong, Bogor, West Java, Aray Maulana Alfatih, felt. Aray spent three months at SRMP 10 Cibinong, Bogor, West Java, as a transformation of his personality. He managed to cultivate courage, responsibility and faith in himself. Aray’s courage was tested when Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya visited SRMP 10 Cibinong last July. In front of a group of important guests, Aray was entrusted to lead the dinner report. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT Not only did his steps seem firm, Aray’s voice sounded loud as he reported to Teddy. That moment was a turning point not only for him, but also for the teachers who witnessed a great change in him. “When I first came in, I was afraid I had no friends,” says Aray in his statement, Saturday (13/12/2025). Aray admitted that he experienced unpleasant treatment from his friends when he was in elementary school because his family’s economic situation worsened. Since then, he often feels inferior, is afraid to speak and prefers to remain silent in class. At the People’s School, Aray found a new environment that accepted him as he was. He learns not only about academic lessons, but also about the meaning of responsibility, independence and the courage to try. His confidence also grew when he was trusted to be the dining commander. From this assignment, Aray learned to organize rules, set an example, and speak loudly in front of his friends. “My voice is the strongest among my friends,” he said. Despite having strong leadership abilities, Aray still struggles to maintain a consistent enthusiasm for learning. He sometimes puts off tasks or needs encouragement to get started. For teachers, however, this is not a shortcoming, but rather part of the growth process. “His enthusiasm is not always stable, but when encouraged, he will try hard to complete his tasks,” said one of the SRMP 10 Cibinong teachers, Fuad. Aray’s abilities stand out the most in the fields of study he likes, such as sports, futsal and badminton. On the court, he moves with passion and shows a determination to win not only against his opponents, but also against his own fear. In the dormitory, Aray is known as a child who is polite, disciplined and obeys the rules. He was never absent from his strike schedule, diligently maintained cleanliness and respected his caregivers. That determination grew out of his simple home. His father, Asep Saepudin, worked as a casual daily laborer and bed maker with an uncertain income. His mother, Hera Febriani, was a housewife who faithfully accompanied her children. The Aray family lives in a small house of about 20 square meters in Tanah Sareal, Bogor. Even though they live in a simple house, this small family never stops instilling the values ​​of hard work and honesty in their children. Aray’s older brother is currently studying pharmacy at Nusa Bangsa University with a KIP Kuliah scholarship, while his younger brother is still waiting for school age. Amidst limitations, this family still has high hopes. For Aray, the past is no longer something painful, but a valuable lesson. He learned that modesty is not a reason to give up, and shame is not an obstacle to growth. From an environment that offers room to be brave, he finds a new meaning in life that every child, from any background, has the right to be confident and dream. (acn/ega)