An Inspiring Story of a Child Who Sacrificed His Childhood for His Family
An Inspiring Story of a Child Who Sacrificed His Childhood for His Family
Medan Baru, Medan City—(17/02/25) The midday sun blazed overhead, but it was the weary eyes of a small child by the roadside that truly captured attention. His thin arms clutched a sack of scrap metal, while his hollow gaze stared blankly ahead. Behind him, a brightly lit minimarket stood with flickering neon lights, its promise of comfort feeling worlds away from his reality.
What began as an ordinary encounter turned into an unforgettable evening. Jesica Thamrin, who had only intended to buy daily necessities, felt compelled to approach the boy. "Hey there, little one. What are you doing here?" she asked gently. The child, named Boas, lifted his face, exhaustion momentarily replaced by a hopeful smile.
"Collecting scrap to help Mama," he answered simply. Though only twelve years old, his words carried the weight of an adult. Jesica invited him into the minimarket, offering him two minutes to grab anything his family needed. With sudden energy, Boas dashed through the aisles, gathering rice, cooking oil, eggs, and even diapers for his baby sibling.
Yet behind his joyful shopping spree lay a heartbreaking story. Boas had been forced to drop out of school to care for his ailing mother. Each day, he scrounged for meager earnings from scrap metal—just enough to survive. His deepest unspoken longing? To return to school. The revelation shattered the hearts of everyone who heard it.
His mother suffered from severe stomach illness, leaving him no choice but to quit studying and become a scavenger. "Sometimes I only make Rp50,000-60,000 in a whole week," he admitted, eyes downcast. What moved people most was Boas' complete lack of self-pity. Despite everything, his eyes still shone with dreams—of one day becoming a successful entrepreneur like his mother once was.
As the shopping concluded, Jesica gave something more valuable than material aid: a warm embrace and a look of profound understanding—a universal language needing no translation. Behind Boas' small smile, new hope began to blossom—hope for returning to school, hope for his mother's recovery, and hope for a brighter future.
Keep dreaming, Boas! For beyond every hardship lies a path forward, and after the darkest night comes the brightest dawn. May your tireless spirit become the seed that grows into a tree of success, lifting you toward your dream of becoming an entrepreneur who makes your family proud. The all-seeing God will surely reward every drop of sweat and tear with boundless blessings.
