The story of Rio, a high school student in Rote Ndao who rides a horse to school so he won't be late
Rio Jonathan Adu, a class XII MIPA student at SMAN 1 Rote Barat Daya, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, rides a horse to school.
He traveled 8 kilometers by horse from his home in Ndelabiti, Dalek Eso Village to school.
Quoted from Pos Kupang, Rio explained the reason he went to school on a horse. At that time the motorbike he had broke down, while he didn't want to be late for school.
"At that time, I started the motorbike, it didn't start, the motorbike had broken down and without thinking much, I went to get a horse in the field. At that time, my father and mother had gone to the fields," said Rio.
With his horse, he has to pass through difficult terrain to school.
"I am now in grade 3 of high school, I have to go to school to get lessons and prepare myself for final exams, even though I face many challenges," said Rio.
When he arrived at school, Rio spontaneously received appreciation from the principal for coming with a horse.
"I arrived at school, the principal asked me why I brought a horse, I answered, I was afraid you would be late," said Rio.
When Rio was about to tie his horse in the school yard, but there was no suitable place. He was also allowed to tie his horse in the meadow in front of the school.
"Because there is meadow and trees in front of the school, I chose to tie it there. And the headmaster told security to look after my horse," he said.
Rio is the second child of Bernard Adu and Juliana. After school, he helps his father and mother plant rice and look after their fields.
His father was known as a horse jockey in hus horse races (a cultural event of beautiful horse racing of the Rote people).
"When I come home from school, I help my father and mother to look after the fields," he said.
Rio's action reaped a lot of praise. Rio has also inspired many of his friends to go to school diligently to achieve their goals.
"For my friends out there, getting to school is not a difficult problem. There are many ways to get to school and especially getting an education for the future," said Rio.
Cerita Rio, Siswa SMA di Rote Ndao yang Naik Kuda ke Sekolah agar Tak Terlambat
Rio Jonathan Adu, siswa kelas XII MIPA SMAN 1 Rote Barat Daya, Kabupaten Rote Ndao, Nusa Tenggara Timur menunggangi kuda ke sekolah.
Ia menempuh jarak 8 kilometer dengan menunggang kuda dari rumahnya di Ndelabiti, Desa Dalek Eso ke sekolah.
Dikutip dari Pos Kupang, Rio menceriterakan alasan dirinya pergi ke sekolah dengan menunggangi kuda. Saat itu motor yang ia miliki mogok, sementara ia tak ingin terlambat sekolah.
"Waktu itu, saya start motor tidak hidup, motor sudah mogok dan tanpa berpikir panjang, saya pergi ambil kuda di padang. Saat itu pula bapak dan mama sudah pergi ke sawah," ujar Rio.
Dengan kuda miliknya, ia harus melewati medan yang sulit ke sekolah.
"Saya sekarang sudah kelas 3 SMA, saya harus pergi ke sekolah untuk dapat pelajaran dan mempersiapkan diri mengikuti ujian akhir, meski banyak tantangan yang saya hadapi," tegas Rio.
Saat tiba di sekolah, Rio spontan mendapatkan apresiasi dari kepala sekolahnya kare datang membawa kuda.
"Saya sampai di sekolah, Bapak Kepala Sekolah tanya saya kenapa bawa kuda, saya jawab, saya takut terlambat Bapak," ungkap Rio.
Saat Rio hendak mengikat kudanya di pelataran halaman sekolah, namun tak ada tempat yang cocok. Ia pun diizinkan mengikat kudanya di padang rumput di depan sekolah.
"Karena ada padang rumput dan pohon di depan sekolah, saya memilih untuk ikat di situ. Dan Bapak Kepala sekolah beritahu security untuk menjaga kuda saya," kata dia.
Rio adalah anak kedua dari pasangan suami istri Bernard Adu dan Juliana. Usai pulang sekolah, ia membantu ayah dan ibunya menanam padi serta menjaga ladang mereka.
Sang ayah dikenal sebagai joki kuda dalam pacuan kuda hus (gelaran budaya pacuan kuda indah orang Rote).
"Kalau saya pulang sekolah, saya bantu bapak dan mama jaga sawah," ucapnya.
Aksi Rio ini banyak menuai pujian. Rio pun telah menginspirasi banyak temannya agar rajin ke sekolah untuk menggapai cita-cita.
"Untuk teman-teman saya di luar sana, hambatan untuk ke sekolah bukanlah masalah yang sulit. Banyak cara untuk sampai di sekolah dan terutama mendapat pendidikan dalam meraih masa depan," pesan Rio.