The UGM KKN-PPM Sorai Waisai 2025 team continues to strengthen its commitment to advancing the community of Waisai Kota District, Raja Ampat Regency. Over 50 days of service, various empowerment programs have been implemented through a structured approach aimed at equipping the community with sustainable self-reliance capacities and realizing Waisai Berdaya as the main gateway to exploring Raja Ampat.
The Unit Student Coordinator of the Sorai Waisai team, Irnandini Putri, explained that their work programs encompass five main pillars: environmental conservation, creative economy, public health, education, and infrastructure development.
Under the environmental conservation pillar, the team initiated a program entitled “Kitong Peduli Kitong Lindungi Laut” (“We Care, We Protect the Sea”), educating the community on the importance of preserving coastal ecosystems. This program also included a beach cleanup at Kampung Nelayan.
In Kampung Buton, an ecoprint workshop was held with residents as a form of creative collaboration that integrates art and environmental awareness, while supporting sustainable local economic potential. A similar activity was also carried out in Warbayam, directly led by Irnandini.
“This activity is not only about cleaning the beach, but also a demonstration of our commitment to preserving marine ecosystems and the resource potential within them,” said Putri in an interview on Monday (Aug. 11).
Under the creative economy pillar, the team organized a “Business Workshop for MSMEs” covering financial management, tax and business registration (NIB and NPWP), digital marketing, product quality assurance, and business contract drafting.
This program was designed to help local entrepreneurs in Waisai independently and sustainably expand their businesses.
“As a small kiosk owner, I greatly benefited from the comprehensive MSME workshop. I could even take home my NIB and NPWP immediately without the hassle of handling them myself,” said Yuriati, one of the participants.
Complementing this, the KKN Sorai Waisai team launched a program entitled “Keuangan Aman Warga Waisai (KAWAI)” or “Safe Finances for Waisai Residents,” held in Warmasen Subdistrict, RT 3, to provide basic education on healthy family financial management.
“Within the creative economy pillar, we also carried out the revitalization of the Warbayam Mosque Park, creating a new green public space to revive the village’s social and religious functions,” added Putri.
In the field of public health, the team conducted livestock data collection and awareness campaigns on zoonotic disease prevention, as well as door-to-door health services in Bonkawir Village. They organized the “100 Bags” Blood Donation Drive and a balanced nutrition campaign through the “Drink Milk, Eat Eggs” movement to prevent stunting.
The team also conducted health education covering Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) at SMAN 1 Raja Ampat, clean water and sanitation awareness, proper handwashing demonstrations following WHO standards, healthy teeth education in elementary schools, as well as reproductive health and disaster preparedness awareness.
The education and youth empowerment pillar was also a top priority. Programs such as interactive learning for Waisai youth on basic literacy, fun physics learning (Fisika Ceria), and ecotourism introduction were carried out gradually and regularly for different target groups.
“In this pillar, we also created programs inviting students to design simulations of environmentally friendly and inclusive cities, as well as initiatives that broaden students’ perspectives on access to higher education,” said Putri.
In addition, the KKN Sorai Waisai 2025 team conducted personal branding training to help young people prepare themselves for the job market. They also held marriage law socialization and disaster response education to improve legal literacy and risk mitigation awareness among the residents of Waisai Kota District.
Finally, the infrastructure development pillar was implemented to support the sustainability of all other sectors.
The KKN Sorai Waisai team installed streetlights in dark-prone areas to improve safety, educational boards, and no-smoking zone signs as part of a healthy living campaign, and an early warning system for landslide disaster mitigation.
They also provided whiteboards and bookshelves for schools and learning communities, and revitalized parks into multifunctional green public spaces.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographs: KKN Sorai Waisai Team