UNRAM’s Community Service Program, in collaboration with Enjoy Life, held an innovative waste management event at SDN 01 Gili Indah. The initiative educated 4th to 6th graders on environmental stewardship through interactive stations, fostering creativity and awareness of the importance of protecting nature.
Innovative Approaches to Environmental Education Take Root in Rural Indonesia
Goodnewsfromstudent.com – In an inspiring blend of academic initiative and grassroots environmental activism, the University of Mataram (UNRAM) has taken its Community Service Program (KKN PMD) beyond traditional boundaries by addressing one of Indonesia’s pressing issues—waste management. Collaborating with the environmental organization Enjoy Life, the program recently launched an educational event at SDN 01 Gili Indah, designed to instill environmental consciousness in young students.
The event, which coincided with Ecology Day on August 1st, 2024, targeted 4th to 6th graders, aiming not just to teach waste sorting but to inspire a deep respect for nature. This initiative is a response to the growing environmental concerns in Indonesia, where waste management remains a critical challenge due to limited awareness and infrastructure.
Seven interactive stations were set up as part of the program, each focusing on different aspects of waste management and environmental art, from sorting waste to creating eco-bricks and bottle cap mosaics. These stations, led by KKN PMD UNRAM volunteers, encouraged the children to engage in creative activities while learning about the importance of environmental stewardship.
“This isn’t just about teaching children how to separate waste; it’s about nurturing their creativity and fostering a love for the environment,” explained Lemo, a representative from Enjoy Life who observed the event’s proceedings.
The initiative also seeks to shift the perception of waste from being mere trash to being a resource that can be transformed into something useful and beautiful, as demonstrated through hands-on activities like hydroponic gardening and crafting.
Lalu Arif Algam, the leader of the KKN PMD UNRAM team at Gili Indah, emphasized that the collaboration with Enjoy Life stems from a shared commitment to addressing local waste management issues.
“We’re starting with elementary schools to plant the seeds of environmental responsibility. By bringing creative ideas to SDN 01 Gili Indah, we’re teaching children how to manage waste, identify materials that can be sold, and explore other useful applications,” he said.
The impact of this initiative was not lost on the teachers at SDN 01 Gili Indah, who praised the program for its relevance and effectiveness. “This activity aligns perfectly with our goals as educators. We hope that every event like this continues to benefit the children here,” said Fitri, a teacher at the school.
Read Also: Aberystwyth University’s Digital Initiative Revolutionizes Student Employability
Moreover, the enthusiasm of the students, who eagerly participated in each station, underscored the program’s success. The event even caught the attention of passing tourists, who captured the moment, indicating that the positive impact of this collaboration extended beyond the school and into the broader community.
Through this program, KKN PMD UNRAM and Enjoy Life have demonstrated that environmental education can be both innovative and enjoyable, with the potential to create lasting change by cultivating a generation of young people who care deeply about the environment.
