UNS – Students from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta’s Community Service Program (KKN) Group 227 recently organized a workshop on sustainable craft-making using coconut shell waste and batik fabric scraps. The event was aimed at members of the Family Welfare Empowerment Team (PKK) in Kenep Village, Sukoharjo Subdistrict, Sukoharjo Regency.
The workshop took place at the Kenep Village Hall on Wednesday (31/7/2024). The objectives of the event included increasing knowledge on recycling techniques, promoting economic empowerment, and fostering creativity in the community.
Participants were educated on the characteristics of batik fabric scraps and coconut shell waste, as well as their environmental impact. They learned how to recycle and repurpose these materials into useful products, such as handicrafts or building materials.
Dimas, the leader of KKN Group 227, emphasized the importance of the workshop in encouraging participants to develop innovative ways to process and utilize waste, potentially creating valuable products from batik fabric and coconut shells.
“This workshop offers an opportunity for participants to create new economic opportunities through effective waste management, such as starting small craft-based businesses or producing recycled goods,” Dimas explained in a press release received by uns.ac.id on Tuesday (13/8/2024).
He added that the workshop’s goal was to equip the women with new skills to turn coconut shell waste and batik fabric scraps into economically valuable crafts, thereby providing additional family income and enhancing creativity and productivity. “We hope this initiative marks the beginning of broader efforts to empower the Kenep Village community. Let’s actively participate, share knowledge, and continue innovating in craft-making,” Dimas urged.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Kenep Village PKK Team, began with remarks from Sri Budiyanti, the head of the PKK Team. This was followed by a presentation from Dyah Yuni Kurniawati, S.Sn., M.Sn., the workshop’s source person and a field supervisor lecturer for KKN Group 227 UNS.
“This workshop can enhance the skills of the women participants and create sustainable opportunities,” Dyah Yuni Kurniawati noted.
Kenep Village Head, Muh. Siddik Pramana, S.E., highlighted that the workshop successfully produced creative items, such as batik flower brooches and coconut shell keychains, made by each PKK Team member. These products not only reflect the participants’ skills and creativity but also symbolize the collaboration and empowerment of the village community.
“We must creatively repurpose various types of waste found around our homes to minimize unused waste, which can become mosquito breeding grounds. Kenep Village, known for its tourism and various MSMEs, including food and beverage products like Jenang, Wajik, and Wingko, which require grated coconut and coconut milk, as well as fashion items like batik fabric, can greatly benefit from this. Let’s use the waste around us as a means to continuously innovate and develop Kenep,” Muh. Siddik said.
The hope is that this workshop will provide lasting benefits. KKN Group 227 UNS encourages all residents of Kenep Village to actively participate in future activities.
HUMAS UNS
