Muhammad Iklas Alfarezy's Inspiring Journey from Orphanage to Japan

Muhammad Iklas Alfarezy, a 19-year old boy, is realizing his dream to work in Japan. Born and raised at Amal Mulia Indonesia Foundation orphanage in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, Iklas lived alone without ever meeting his parents.

"I want to raise money to search for my family, whom I haven't seen since I was a child,"

However, this condition didn't discourage him. Joining Japanese training at South Jakarta Regional Job Training Center (PPKD), he is now preparing to fly to Japan to join an apprenticeship program at a paint factory in Ibaraki, near Tokyo.

He has been wanting to work in Japan since he was a child. He was inspired by the culture and work ethic of the disciplined and hardworking Japanese people. While attending training at South Jakarta PPKD, he studied hard, although he often felt bored because he had to memorize many things. Now, his dream is coming true. He is scheduled to depart to Japan around April or May 2025, along with a colleague from Malang.

160 Participants Pass Work Training at S. Jakarta PPKD

"I really want to work in Japan. Therefore I study hard. At times, I feel bored because learning the same things. But after understanding more about the job and interview, I got more excited," he expressed, Friday (2/7).

Behind his achivement, Iklas has a touching life story. Since birth, he has been raised in an orphanage because his mother couldn't afford hospital delivery.

He never met his father. Meanwhile, his mother has passed away, which he learned from a friend of his mother who came to to orphanage a few years ago.

"I never met my mother and father. My mother's friend once came to the orphanage and told me that my mother had passed away. But neither I nor my mother's friend know when and where the grave is," he stated.

He also doesn't have any information about his fater's whereabouts. Despite trying to find him through acquintances and friends, but to no avail. 

One of the main reasons he wanted to work in Japan was to raise money so that one day he could track down his family.

"I want to raise money to search for my family, whom I haven't seen since I was a child," he said.

In Japan, he will earn salary around Rp 19 million per month. He plans to save the money for his business in Jakarta after his contract period is over.

"First, I will finish my internship for a year at a paint factory. After that, I will apply for a transfer to another company to work, preferably in agriculture, since I'm originally interested in it," he conveyed.

Iklas is one of the South Jakarta PPKD graduates who successfully obtained employment opportunities abroad. According to him, the training program is very helpful, especially in mastering the language and preparing for job interviews.

He feels to have this opportunity and is proud of himself because of his effort and prayers were not in vain.

"In here, we get homework every day, so we always memorize it. But it still depends on the person. If you don't study at home, you can forget. I'm happy and also proud of myself because what I hoped for finally came true," he mentioned.

For him, this journey is more than just a dream come true. It was the first step towards a better life. In addition to working and saving for the future, he also wants to continue his search for his father.

"If I meet my father, I will try my best. But if fate doesn't bring us together, at least I can pray for him," he closed.