Against all odds: A scholar's story that inspired many

In 1999, Richard Waery's family fled their hometown of Ternate amidst the Maluku conflict, leaving behind their home and belongings. Due to economic instability following the fall of the New Order regime, Richard and his baby brother were left in the care of his mother while his father and younger brother sought refuge with their grandparents in Halmahera. Caught in the middle of the riots, the family eventually joined in Halmahera before relocating to Manado.

Richard spent the next five years in a refugee camp in Manado, where he managed to finish elementary and middle school. He credits his mother's determination and his family's support for keeping him focused on his education despite the challenging circumstances. A turning point came when one of his teachers presented him with a scholarship application from the Putera Sampoerna Foundation, an opportunity he never anticipated.

Despite language barriers and his family's reservations, Richard successfully completed the rigorous interview process and was one of five students selected to pursue an education abroad. His parents' concerns were eased when the foundation sent a team to Manado to assure them of his safety and supervision abroad. With their support, Richard enrolled at the United World College in the US in 2005, beginning his IB Diploma program.

Richard's journey was not without challenges. Upon arriving in the US, he faced culture shock and intense academic pressure, struggling with the language barrier. However, he persevered, becoming a programming & 3D game modding instructor, a programmer analyst for Mail & More, Inc., and eventually landing a job in the government technology sector. Today, Richard attributes his success to the transformative power of education and the scholarships that changed the course of his life.