UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta Thematic Community Service Program in Village Development, Group 300 held socialization on “Focus Protecting Oneself, Family, and Closest Environment” in Sugihan Village, Jatiroto, Wonogiri mid-August 2021.
The event that was scheduled as an online event was implemented offline under strict health protocols, and all team members passed the swab test as required by the village apparatus. The team has nine members: Reni Dwi Septiani (PG-PAUD), Puji Astuti (Pharmacy), Hadi Prayitno (Fine Arts), Tasya Santi Rahmawati (Industrial Engineering), Zetira Rezkina Zahra (Architectural Engineering), Ramizah Ariq Sakinah (Special Education), Resti Sukma Nastiti (PPKn), Fadilla Intan Nurlaili (PGSD), and Ali Prakoso (PJKR).
Covid-19 vaccination is the focus of the socialization that shared the information on the importance of vaccination to stop Covid-19 infection, the safety of the vaccines, and vaccines are not a cure but a preventive action to strengthen the immune system. The socialization also emphasized the importance of implementing health protocols. The representative from the group, Reni Dwi Septiani, stated to uns.ac.id that her group hopes that this socialization becomes a means to improve community awareness on the importance of Covid-19 vaccination and the danger of the new coronavirus disease.
“Hopefully, this socialization could make people who are denying Covid-19 to be aware. Additionally, by sharing information on the Covid-19 vaccination, it is expected to reduce people’s dread over the vaccine myths that circulate in the community. Therefore, helping to stop the spread of Covid-19,” she stated on Tuesday (24/8/2021)
Reni also mentioned that the local community and government warmly welcomed the program, especially those related to Covid-19. The Village Chief of Sugihan even asked them to conduct other socialization in RT RW meeting and village apparatus meeting on the same topic: health protocols and hoaxes that make people reluctant to get vaccinated. She added that after the socialization, more people are aware of the health protocols and vaccination. “Some people also believe and willing to participate in the vaccination program,” Reni said.
Besides the socialization, the team also has many other programs during their eight days stay in the region. The first program is distributing hand washing basins, handwash, and hand sanitizer in several public places in Sugihan Village, Wonogiri. Secondly, on Covid-19 and environmental cleanliness, the group trained the local community to make and install mask connectors and socializing a healthy and clean lifestyle. Thirdly, the group conducted socialization on designing and exciting packaging for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). Fourth, they perform socialization on children with special needs and how to communicate with them according to their disabilities.
“In the Indonesian independence day occasion, we also held poem competition on nationalism and developed TPA students’ creativity by creating tie-dye tote bag in Nglasep Hamlet, Sugihan Village,” Reni added. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti