There are thousands of students who have been trapped, unable to return to their hometowns since the ban on going home during the pandemic period was issued. One of them is my friend named Tamrin G., a student who is studying at the University of Mataram. My name is Jayadin, 22 years old, living in Gomong-Mataram.

Tamrin has been studying here for almost four years, but this is the first time he has felt this condition. He was really in trouble. Many people returned to their hometowns but only him and a few people remained. Tamrin is no longer able to pay for his electricity, so he has to stay at a friend’s boarding house. He also revealed the reason for not going home. Apart from being a remote village in Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, the cost for transportation is also quite large.

He is also afraid that if he travels home, he might accidentally catch this virus on the way and it will certainly endanger his family. He also said there had been data collection from the University of Mataram for potential recipients of COVID-19 assistance from the East Nusa Tenggara Province Social Service (Dinsos). However, until now there has been no realization.

It has already been recorded that all students from outside the region, who are still staying in the boarding house get help from the Social Agency. Tamrin has also filled the form, but he hasn’t received any help yet. Until now he is still waiting because the cost of living is getting higher, not just for food but also for data packages for online tuition and next semester’s tuition fee.

I really hope that the related parties can be concerned about the fate of students like him. It doesn’t have to be much, at least it can help to eat.