Ngada Student’s Final Hug: A Heartbreaking Story of Suicide

NGADA, KOMPAS.com – Cold air enveloped Naruwolo, a village located about 40 kilometers from the city of Bajawa, the capital of Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

In this village, various types of plants such as cloves, coconut, candlenuts, durian, grow abundantly. Most residents work in the agricultural sector.

That night, Wednesday (28/1/2026), YBS, 10 years old, hugged his mother, Maria Goreti Te’a (47), tightly.

Maria also reminded him to get some sleep, because tomorrow he had to go to school. YBS didn’t answer at all.

“He didn’t say anything to me. After that we both slept,” said Maria when met, Thursday (12/2/2026).

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YBS is often called Bastian. He youngest child of five siblings. His father migrated dozens of years ago. His mother worked odd jobs.

Initially the father was in frequent contact, but recently he was no longer heard from.

When he was 1 year 7 months old, Bastian was adopted by his grandmother. The two lived in a garden cottage.

Maria lives in the sa’o (big house). There were also several family members there.

Maria and Bastian live about 1 kilometer apart.

Bastian is known as a cheerful and diligent child. Every day, after school, Bastian often helps his grandmother sell vegetables.

“He often sells lettuce and cassava,” he said.

Also read: Tragedy in Ngada NTT: Poverty Crisis and Family Communication

Maria remembers well, on Monday (26/20/2026) afternoon, the baby came to see her.

Bastian asked his mother to go to Bajawa to disburse funds for the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP).

“That night he slept here,” he said.