When I first learned about Ai Nurhidayat, I was struck by his dedication to building bridges between people from different backgrounds through education. Growing up in a country as diverse as Indonesia, I’ve often reflected on the challenge and beauty of unity in diversity. This notion wasn’t just abstract for Ai—it was the driving force behind his life’s work. Reading about his journey, I felt as if he wasn’t just working for his community but for the larger mission of fostering a more understanding and inclusive Indonesia.
Indonesia’s diversity is both its pride and its challenge. With over 17,000 islands, we’re a nation woven together by different ethnicities, religions, and cultures, all bound by our national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika—Unity in Diversity. But this mosaic of identities has also faced struggles. Conflicts have sometimes arisen out of fear and misunderstanding. Ai, with his deep-rooted commitment to harmony, understood that tolerance needed to be nurtured, especially in young minds.
Ai’s story begins in Pangandaran, West Java, where he grew up seeing firsthand the tensions that can arise when communities are hesitant to embrace differences. As a young man, he often observed how people in his area felt “cold” or even closed off to influences from outside their own culture. This lack of exposure, he realized, often led to stereotypes, even prejudices, that could divide instead of unite.
As he continued his studies, eventually earning a degree in Communication from Paramadina University, Ai became more aware of how essential it was to address this issue, not just through words but through action. The idea of creating a school that embraced Indonesia’s diversity and taught students to appreciate it began to take shape in his mind. In 2011, Ai turned his vision into reality by founding SMK Bakti Karya, a free vocational school where tolerance is not just a lesson but a lived experience.
SMK Bakti Karya stands as a testament to what education can achieve in shaping the future of a community. The school offers three years of free education in multimedia and other vocational skills, bringing students together from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Through programs like Splash the Peace, the school goes beyond conventional subjects to teach values like empathy, respect, and multicultural understanding. Ai wanted his students to not only study together but to learn about each other’s lives, struggles, and beliefs, forming bonds that would last beyond their time at the school.
The impact of SMK Bakti Karya is evident. As of 2019, the school had students from 18 different provinces, creating a unique environment where young people from vastly different backgrounds could learn, play, and grow together. Ai’s dedication to fostering an inclusive atmosphere inspired over 250 volunteers to support the school, serving as mentors and role models. As I learned more about this initiative, I felt deeply inspired by how Ai was creating a microcosm of Indonesia, where unity was celebrated, and differences respected. It was as if he had taken the country’s rich diversity and concentrated it within the walls of SMK Bakti Karya.
Ai’s work did not go unnoticed. In 2019, he was honored with the SATU Indonesia Award by PT Astra International in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to education and tolerance. The award highlighted Ai’s dedication to transforming young minds and creating a sustainable model for multicultural education. For Ai, the SATU Indonesia Award was more than just an accolade; it was validation of his belief that small, consistent actions could lead to lasting change.
Winning the award brought increased attention to SMK Bakti Karya, allowing Ai to expand his mission and inspire other communities to adopt similar approaches. His story reminds us of the power of grassroots efforts and the ripple effect that one person’s vision can have. The success of SMK Bakti Karya proves that when we invest in our youth and teach them the value of respect and tolerance, we are planting seeds for a more unified future.
Reflecting on Ai’s journey, I find myself moved by his dedication and unwavering spirit. He’s created a space where students don’t just learn subjects but learn to see the world through the eyes of others. This has made me ponder my own role in promoting tolerance and understanding. Could I, too, create something meaningful and lasting for my community? Could I help others see the beauty in our diversity and the strength in our unity? Ai’s journey teaches us that we don’t need to start big; we just need to start with purpose.
In Indonesia, diversity is a gift, a source of pride, and sometimes, a challenge. But with people like Ai, who approach differences with an open heart and a deep respect for all cultures, we are reminded that unity is within reach. His vision of multicultural education isn’t just about today; it’s a sustainable effort to cultivate understanding for generations to come.
Together, through initiatives like SMK Bakti Karya, we are building a more inclusive Indonesia, a place where everyone has a role to play in creating harmony. As I think about Ai’s journey, I am filled with hope that I, too, can be part of this mission—to create, to uplift, and to foster a spirit of unity and acceptance in a world that needs it more than ever. (*)
0 Komentar