UNS — An alumnus of the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Program (PBSI) Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Lenang Manggala, introduced Mari Nyalakan Masa Depan Indonesia (Nyalanesia). This integrated company allows students and teachers to publish their books and access training and certification.
The movement started with Lenang’s writing community that invited people to write and read and was inspired by his High School Indonesian Language teacher, Pak Abikusna. Lenang believes that every child has potential and that the world would not value a person from their grades but their work, which brings him to develop his writing community into something bigger and professional. “Thus, many schools will be able to facilitate their students to learn and creates together through Nyalanesia,” he explained to uns.ac.id on Monday (3/10/2022).
A Child with No Future
Although Lenang today seems to be a well-rounded person who cares deeply about education, his journey was not always academically-bright. During his High School years, Lenang was a naughty child with a diverse collection of mischiefs and rebellious streaks. However, one teacher was always patient with his quirks and believed he had bright potential and a future. “From there, I tried to prove to my teachers and students that I could be successful,” he added.
Nyalanesia
Nyalanesia is a company that develops an integrated literacy program that allows teachers and students to publish their books and access training and certifications. Supported by integrated technology, the company offers literacy events and community development based on sharing economy under the socio-edupreneur concept to create the largest literacy ecosystem in Indonesia.
Currently, the company has built a partnership with more than 2,500 schools in 34 provinces in Indonesia, helping more than 300,000 students and teachers learn, create, and publish their books with the sole aim of proving that all children have potential and a future. They need to find their place to hone their potential when schools and teachers help them grow. “That was what I felt when Pak Abikusna was willing and observing while facilitating my potential. I was invited and guided to hone my writing skills and won (the competition). Thanks to Pak Abikusna, I found my passion and my way to contribute,” he said.
He also dreams of a time when children come home not only with their grades but also with their work.
Nyalanesia Journey
The journey of Nyalanesia was not all gold and glitters; there were ups and downs that Lenang willingly went through. Starting from debts he accumulated to ensure that the Nyalanesia program was accessible for students, which he solved through innovative knowledge he learned along the way. “(It) becomes a healthy company without posing high costs (to its customers.”
At the end of the discussion, Lenang reminded his juniors to learn with integrity and to formulate their ideas, joining people attempting to improve the world. With more than 700 million people living in poverty, Lenang explained that two in ten children have no opportunity for education. “If you could pursue higher education and access quality foods, you must learn with integrity. The world needs your works and contributions more than you know,” he concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti