From River to Bridge: Yamisa’s Journey to Hope
President Prabowo Subianto engages a live dialogue with regional heads, officials, and communities from various regions via video conference from his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Monday (03/09) (Photo: BPMI Setpres)
That Monday afternoon (03/09), a large screen in Hambalang showed familiar faces once viral on social media: schoolchildren from South Nias Regency who used to have to cross a river to get to school.
Now they were standing before President Prabowo Subianto – not as a story of hardship, but as a symbol of hope.
Among them was Yamisa Zebua, a 17-year-old 12th grader. She was one of the students who had the courage to voice their concerns directly to the President through a video that went viral. Now with the long-awaited bridge finally built, she expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you for all the help you have given us,” said Yamisa in a calm yet confident voice.
When her viral video was shown, the President recognized her face. “Yamisa, that’s you. Is that you, right? You were very brave to call out to the President,” said the President with a smile. “But because you spoke up, I could hear you immediately,” he added.
However, for Yamisa, the bridge was not the only message she wanted to share. Beneath her gratitude lay another hope: the wish of village children for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
“Excuse me, sir, about the MBG, it has not reached our school yet,” Yamisa said sincerely.
The President looked surprised. “It hasn’t been given?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. Our parents can’t afford it,” replied Yamisa.
Her simple words reflected the reality still faced by many children in remote areas: while access to education is improving, meeting basic needs like nutrition remains a challenge.
The President responded immediately, affirming that the Government would work hard to ensure the program soon reach the school of Yamisa and her friends.
“I will fight to ensure that the MBG program reaches them soon,” said the President.
For Yamisa, the Free Nutritious Meals program is more than just a government policy. It is a daily necessity that she and her friends depend on in their own lives.
When the President remarked that some people consider the program unnecessary, Yamisa responded without hesitation. “That’s not true, Sir,” she said firmly.
Her spontaneous response lightened the mood of the meeting.
For the President, Yamisa’s courage was more than just the courage of a student speaking to the Head of State. He saw it as a sign of emerging leadership shaped by her own life experience.
Behind that brief exchange lay a big picture of Indonesia: village children who used to have to cross rivers now have bridges, and now they also dream of access to proper nutrition through the Free Nutritious Meals Program.
Before the conversation ended, Yamisa still had time to voice another hope: for the damaged village roads and schools that needed repair. The President listened closely, and in closing he gave her a simple yet meaningful message: “Please, study hard.”
In places like South Nias, a bridge is more than just a structure made of steel and concrete. It is a path to school, a path to dreams, and a path to the future. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (LW/EP)
