As many as 28 UGM students conducted various community programmes for those impacted by earthquakes in Labuan Pandan and Sugian villages in Sambelia district, East Lombok regency, from 24 December 2018 to 8 February 2019.
“During the programme, the students created several programmes of excellence such as the making of participatory maps and agricultural empowerment,” said Dwi Umi Siswanti S.Si., M.Sc, field supervisor, on Monday (11/2).
Other programmes include trauma healing, mapping of village potential, coaching of farmers group, fisheries group, and tourism group and provision of public facilities to restore the spirit and economic activities of the residents that have slumped after the disaster.
“The villages had been severely impacted, in Labuhan Pandan, for instance, 400 homes had collapsed while other 800 experiencing minor damages,” she added.
The students through the UGM Community Service Directorate submitted a proposal to PT. Cargill to revitalise damaged public facilities, such as health stations, toilets, reading area, early education centre, etc.
UGM Vice-Rector for Research and Community Service, drg. Ika Dewi Ana, M.Kes., Ph.D, visited the place to monitor the student programme that also marked the end of the programme there.
“The community have been very enthusiastic with this student programme. They thanked them by giving awards,” said Dwi, Biology lecturer.
To ensure programme sustainability, she said this would run at least until the next three years. Through the programme, the students are expected to learn experience by direct engagement with community, raise empathy and care of community, increase independence, research spirit, and contribution to the nation as well as to sustain relations among regional governments and academic community.
“Community service programme is much related to science application and direct involvement with community. After the programme, the students are expected to situate themselves better in community,” she concluded.