Indonesia
Lombok, August 12–17, 2024 – Coinciding with Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day celebration, the Nusantara Student Expedition of Universitas Islam Malang (EPNU UNISMA) organized a community service program titled “Transforming Good Intentions into Meaningful Action” in the foothills of Mount Rinjani, East Lombok.
Rahma Maliana, a 2023 cohort student of the Master’s Program in Mathematics Education at UNISMA, participated in the expedition as part of the Master’s Candidate Community Service (KMM) program.
“This initiative was launched by EPNU, which is affiliated with Ikatan Pelajar Nahdlatul Ulama (IPNU) and Ikatan Pelajar Putri Nahdlatul Ulama (IPPNU). It reflects UNISMA students’ commitment to serving the nation, particularly in advancing educational equity for rural students,” said the third-semester student.
Read also: Postgraduate Student Raises Farmer Awareness of Climate Change Impacts on Layer Chicken Health
The program sought to address pressing issues in Sembalun Bumbung Village. Initial assessments identified limited awareness of dental health, environmental concerns related to waste management, and insufficient understanding of the importance of higher education as key challenges within the community.
The initiative was conducted at MTs NW Pangsor Gunung, involving approximately 100 students and supported by the school principal, the head of the internal quality assurance team, and the vice principal for curriculum affairs. The principal expressed appreciation for the program, stating, “I fully support this educational and health initiative. May it deliver lasting positive impact for our students.”
Sunardi, Head of Sembalun Bumbung Village, also commended the activities carried out at MTs NW PG Sembalun Bumbung.
On the first day, the program featured educational outreach on dental hygiene, personal cleanliness, and environmental awareness. Students were guided through practical demonstrations on proper toothbrushing, handwashing, and responsible waste disposal.
The second day focused on a session titled “The Tree of Aspirations,” designed to foster awareness of the importance of higher education. Students creatively constructed aspiration trees outlining their future goals and the steps required to achieve them.
On the third day, the team conducted a socialization session on bullying prevention and gender equality in collaboration with students from the Guidance and Counseling Program at Universitas Hamzanwadi.
The fourth day featured a community clean-up campaign within the school environment. As a form of appreciation, two out of five classes were awarded trophies for maintaining the highest standards of classroom cleanliness and aesthetics.
The entire community service series was warmly received by school authorities and local residents. The program succeeded in enhancing awareness of health, hygiene, and the value of education among students in the village.
The final day coincided with the official ceremony commemorating the 79th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence, held at the Sembalun district field. The celebration drew enthusiastic participation from local residents, who attended the flag-raising ceremony and cultural performances marking the national occasion.
The initiative is expected to inspire students and communities alike to continue contributing to meaningful social change, even in remote areas.
