Dispatchment
Akbar explained that he was sent to Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) District, South Sumatera, for two months, from 27 October to 23 December 2021. With the other six students from Universitas Prima Indonesia, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Administrasi Negara Palembang, and Universitas Sriwijaya, they stayed in OKU District Social Office’s accommodation. Their programs covered Baturaja Barat, Baturaja Timur, and Lubuk Batang Subdistricts.

“In total, there were 14 and 15 villages that we need to survey,” Akbar said on Monday (10/1/2022).

The Program
Akbar and the team had two programs, verification and validation of integrated data for social welfare and a team-based project. The first task was similar to a population census that focused on people receiving social aids from Kemensos.

“The survey was held using the Sagis application. We visited the people one by one at their houses, and we checked if they still live in that place, then how is their current economic condition. While in the team-based project, we conducted MSMEs development,” Akbar stated.

Their team-based project was implemented by building networking among MSMEs in OKU and several small pieces of training for MSMEs empowerment. In this program, they tried to find a sponsor from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of companies in Baturaja.

“The program aimed at MSMEs empowerment to connect entrepreneurs with other parties to create an active and large business environment. However, the limited time and resources made us reach only one business, Bubuk Jahe Tomosa, from Bapak Zega in Terusan Village, Baturaja Timur Subdistrict,” Akbar added.

Fun Stories
During the two months of the program, Akbar went through various experiences because their activities run all day, including Saturday and Sunday, in different places. Akbar stated that although it seemed demanding, he and his friends enjoyed the whole experience because they could travel and meet people who gave them knowledge, and they couldn’t learn in class. “Those are priceless life lessons,” he said.

One of his most previous experiences was when they needed to visit a house in the middle of a cornfield, and the only access was a one-hour footpath between corns and hillside. “When we arrived, the homeowner was very friendly and worried for us who came from far walking. In the house, there was a school child. I could not imagine how they go out for school with such struggle. There is also a hidden gem, in the middle of that cornfield, there is a small river with clean and fresh water,” he said.

Diversity
OKU has rich diversities, languages, ethnicities, and cultures. This condition made Akbar learn new experiences to blend in with the community.

“The languages are Palembang, Ogan, Komering, Melayu, to Javanese. There are many locals who are from Java and transmigrated there,” he said.

The ethnicities living in the district are Ogan, Komering and Daya, Chinese, Javanese, Batak, to Minang. But Akbar stated that he did not experience a cultural shock. “Only new exciting stories. For example, many people are still showering in the river, even rivers in Baturaja, then trying foods that we had never tried before. And of course, learning many new things and local languages there,” Akbar added.

Hope
Akbar hoped that the program could provide a solution for the community, both receiving helps from Kemensos and those who have not received it.

“The hope for myself, hopefully becoming more aware of the community and the existing social issues. Moreover, as students, as the agent of change, there are many opportunities to do positive stud that bring changes in the future,” he hoped. Humas UNS

Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post Akbar Raihan, UNS Student in Pejuang Muda Kemensos at OKU District South Sumatera, Shared His Experiences appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

Dr. Revi Gama Hatta Novika, M.Kes. as Person in Charge (PIC) for the project stated that for three months, students collaborate with several parties in supporting the program from Kemensos.

“For three months, students collaborate with Local Government, community leaders, local religious leaders, and all social driving stakeholders at local regions to support Kemensos’ program,” Dr. Revi stated.

This sharing session was held to welcome all Pejuang Muda from their respective region. This event was a means of sharing information and experiences that students achieved during their program in the regions decided by Kemensos. The regions including Sarolangun District-Jambi, Kapuas Hulu District-Kalimantan Barat, Manggarai District-NTT, and other regions all over Indonesia.

The participants shared that their program meets the needs of their respective regions, such as reducing stunting, improving social assistance data, to regional economic potential—Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs UNS, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Yunus, M.S. stated that this program honed students’ skills such as caring attitude, communication, and social entrepreneurship.

Dr. Agr. Ir. Sigit Prastowo, S.Pt., M.Si., IPM., ASEAN Eng. and Dr. Dwi Prasetyani, S.E., M.Si. as the Chairman and Secretary of MBKM also added on the importance of various experiences in supporting skills after graduating from university, such as participating in Pejuang Muda program.

In the release received by the uns.ac.id team, Sayful Zuhri, who was involved in this program, hoped that this event could develop students’ skills during the education program.

“(It is) a positive and beneficial program for UNS students. Hopefully, students could continue developing themselves during their university years to be role models in the future that could benefit society. Hopefully, UNS could shape young intellectuals that were useful for the nation and the country,” he stated. Humas UNS

Reporter: Zalfaa Azalia Pursita
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post This is What’s Fun from Becoming Pejuang Muda Kemensos UNS 2021 appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.