Reducing Hunger Levels, Unpad Students Give Meal Scholarships to the Economically Underprivileged

Jatinangor, West Java – Food and drink is a primary need for every living being. However, not everyone can afford it. One of the factors is the economy.

Realizing the reality of these conditions, a Chemistry student at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Nur Rachman, also known as “Ray,” is opening an opportunity that allows everyone, including students and the surrounding community, to have enough money to pay for their food. To do so, he is opening a restaurant named “Surga Dunia” with a vision of “Indonesia Against Hunger” or “Indonesia Anti Kelaparan.” With this, Ray hopes to feed the economically underprivileged.

“Usually, at the end of the month, my friends have trouble eating because they run out of money. The least we can do is to help them instead of treating them and making them dependent to us,” said Ray to Unpad Public Relations on Thursday (23/10).

The business developed by Ray has experienced ups and downs. Since its opening in 2012, Ray has often tried to attract investors to be persuaded by his restaurant concept. However, after 3 months of running, the business suffered losses due to the dishonesty of the customers. The restaurant, which was intended to help the poor, was instead utilized by well-off customers who paid whatever they liked.

In spite of this loss, Ray and his three friends did not stop trying to help. They often reviewed and evaluated the “Surga Dunia” or “Heavenly World” concept. This led them to a new method by implementing a certain period for the customers who wanted to pay as they pleased. However, this still did not work optimally, so Ray decided visitors should pay according to the set price. Even with this implementation, Ray was still able to help the economically underprivileged by giving “meal scholarships.”

“Those who can’t afford the food just need to register with us, so it’s like giving a meal scholarship. All they have to do is register, fill in the form and submit a Certificate of Disadvantage (“Surat Keterangan Tidak Mampu “ or SKTM) and we will give them an Anti-Hunger Card (“Kartu Anti Kelaparan”). Thus, the segmentation becomes clearer,” he said.

The concept of “doing business while doing charity” was in fact able to bring Ray to win first place at the national level in the Industrial and Boga category at the National Young Entrepreneurial Achievement event, which was held by Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. Ray admitted that the restaurant concept was the only one in the Asian region at that time.

From all his past industrial business, Ray admits that he truly enjoys his current one. He explained that this can manifest his goal of helping students, staff, and the economically disadvantaged with sincerity.

Programs that contribute to poverty alleviation are hoped to become more widespread and able to realize their functions according to the target. This is the right step in an effort to reduce the shortcomings of hunger that can occur to students, staff, and the wider community who cannot afford it.

Writer: Maria Imanuella Dewi Sekartaji
Translator: Jauza Maryam Mumtazah