Making Way for Tomorrow

Idpal is gaining working experience and a steady paycheck in his new job. Photo: Bunga Sirait/Mercy Corps

Before 18-year-old Idpal graduated from technical high school in Depok, on the outskirts of Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta, he was as eager as his fellow students to finally finish. Beneath that excitement, however, was a typical graduation-day worry: Idpal was unsure of what to do next.

Getting a job in Jakarta's fiercely competitive labor market is a rocky road for recent high school graduates, even skilled workers like Idpal, who earned a certificate in electronics repair. Going to college seems like a logical next step, but unfortunately for Idpal, that wasn't an option. Idpal's father, a day laborer with infrequent work opportunities, is the family of five's sole provider.

Then one day, Idpal saw a vacancy announcement in the Nainul Amani, a center that provides basic needs for orphans and other youth who live in very poor conditions. The announcement said that Alfa Mart, one of Indonesia's largest chain convenience stores, was in need of new employees. That same announcement was placed in 99 other Mercy Corps-supported youth centers and orphanages all over Jakarta.

Funded by USAID, Mercy Corps' Assistance for Institutions Management (AIM) project works to establish connections between youth orphanages and businesses. One of the project's goals is to introduce disadvantaged young people to the professional world and guide them in building productive lives and careers.

When Idpal applied for the job, he had to go through the same process as all other applicants. He remembers how nervous he was the day he went for the interview.

"I was awfully worried. My heart went pitter-patter, non-stop, before, during and after the interview," he says.

About a week later, Idpal got a call indicating that he had won the job.

"I was overjoyed. I couldn't believe my ears," he enthuses.

At the same time, he felt bad when he found out his friend, who also applied for the job, didn't make it. "It was through the phone at his house that I took the call. We don't have our own phone," he says.

It's been five months since Idpal started to work at Alfa Mart. He's there eight hours a day, five days a week, cleaning the store, putting things in order and acting as a cashier if needed.

"I know, ideally, I should get a job that's relevant with my background," he says. He still hopes to get a job in electronics. "But now I have this, I'm grateful. The salary is not bad either. With it, hopefully I can someday continue my studies."

His salary is helping his family improve their lot.

"I gave [my first paycheck] all to my mother. She cooked us special dinner that day," he says. "She also used the money to pay my siblings' tuition fees and other bills. Not a dime saved from my first salary.

"But now it's different. I still give my money to my parents, but only some. I'm saving the rest for my college fund."