UNS — Students of State Administration Science (AN) Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta are starting a product with a MAKOSTA Starter-Pack product. MAKOSTA is a product package, which consists of a mask, connector, and strap that designed specifically for children and was made from natural ingredients.
The initiative was started by Shinta Rosilawati, Salmashanda Wahyu Nyndo, Salsabila Inas Sausan, Shelyn Erza Arditya, and Muhammad Atha Sultan Zacky through a Student Creativity Program for Science and Technology Implementation (PKM-PI) that receives official funding from the Kemdikbud this 2021.
The students are encouraged to create MAKOSTA because they find the need for masks for the community, especially children, are increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the availability of children-sized masks is limited. In contrast, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) reveals that nationally 82,710 Covid-19 cases were infecting children aged 0-18 by 29 December 2020.
On the other hand, children are more interested in a mask with a colorful design. Therefore, MAKOSTA offers masks with various character designs while at the same time bringing up child protection issues. “(The mask) is decorated with specific character design related to child rights to get nutritious food, recreation, to get an education, access to health service, and many others. Thus, it is not only interesting for the children, but it can also giving knowledge on their rights as a child,” explains Shinta as the Team Leader on Sunday (6/6/2021).
Shinta adds that her team was taking on the theme to support the achievement of the Third and Fifth point of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely ensuring healthy life and supporting people well-being at all ages, achieving gender equality, and empowering all women and girls. Another excellence offered by MAKOSTA is the use of natural dye composition, which is children-friendly. Currently, Shinta and the team are still searching for the right natural dye for their product.
To expand their distribution, the team under Dr. Rina Herlina Haryanti, S. Sos, M. Si., supervision is collaborating with supermarkets and medical stores in Surakarta. Furthermore, they also use social media such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, as well as e-commerce platforms such as Shopee and Tokopedia to distribute the product.
“Hopefully, this idea can be realized appropriately, and the product can be useful and meets the community needs. We also hope that the messages we want to deliver through this mask design can be delivered properly,” Shinta wishes as a conclusion to the conversation. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti