Solidarity group of wives of Cabinet Ministers’ (SIKIB) joined hands with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) to make the Hargotirto village in Kokap sub-district of Kulon Progo Regency as a model village in the government’s five programmes: Indonesia Healthy, Smart, Creative, Green and Caring. “Independent villages are directed towards empowerment programmes that involve UGM Student Community Service programmes. We will facilitate location, facilities, environment and partnership with local governments,†said SIKIB Chairperson, Mrs. Joko Suyanto during the call on Rector Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D, Monday afternoon (25/1). Also present were  Mrs. Hendarman Supanji, Mrs. Mustafa Abubakar, Mrs. Triyono Wibowo, Mrs. Syamsul Maarif, and Mrs. Herman Prayitno.
Mrs. Joko Suyanto said that in the independent village would be established the “Smart Home†for the implementation of those five programmes all at once that was launched by First Lady Mrs. Ani Yudhoyono. “We hope that these programmes will form a synergy in one place (Hargotirto village),†she said.
The wife of the Co-ordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security, said that establishing independent villages needs monitoring, therefore they requested UGM for its direct involvement. “A good village must be monitored. With UGM support, it is expected that the good village will be able to serve as a model in Indonesia,†she said.
On Monday noon a SIKIB survey group led by Mrs. Djoko Suyanto carried out a survey in three places of Hargotirto, involving UGM’s teams from Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Research and Community Services as well as teams from Prosecutor’s Office of Yogyakarta, the Air Force and Regional Police Office of Yogyakarta.
Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Prof. dr. Ali Ghufron Mukti, M.Sc., Ph.D., said that the people empowerment programme involves UGM students who socialise healthy and smart living and encourage economic creativity through management of agricultural products and crafts. “Students will go door-to-door to make sure that people live healthily and smartly,†he said.
Rector of UGM welcomed the project to empower people in Kulon Progo. He hoped that this would help accelerate village development through the three model villages. “What we’re doing starts from success story. There are so many things that UGM has produced, but those are all too small for the size of Indonesia. It is our duty to enlighten the people, maintain health and local environment with existing economic values and resources,†he explained.