The UGM KKN-PPM team “Menyanjung Tiram” performed community service in Lalang Village, Batu Bara Regency, North Sumatra. One of their work programs aimed at environmental improvement to achieve a clean, healthy, and safe village for children.
To support their program, the students implemented several innovations, such as making paper from grass, purifying dirty drainage water using eco-enzymes, and utilizing lemongrass oil as mosquito repellent.
Aqil Rafi, the coordinator of the Menyanjung Tiram unit, explained that the condition of the dirty drains around Lalang Village inspired the overarching theme of their program. These dirty drains led to the rapid breeding of mosquitoes, which could cause malaria.
“To address this issue, we conducted eco-enzyme pouring together with the residents,” said Rafi in a statement sent to reporters on Sunday (Jul. 21).
Rafi stated that eco-enzyme is a liquid produced from the fermentation of a mixture of fruits, vegetables, and palm sugar processed naturally. Eco-enzyme is called a miracle liquid because it has many benefits, including its ability to purify contaminated water.
Other student innovations included using lemongrass to make mosquito-repellent oil, converting organic waste into fertilizer for lemongrass plants, and using plastic bottles for various activities such as making toys and vertical gardens.
He explained, “All sources that cause mosquito breeding are managed to reduce the breeding of malaria-causing mosquitoes.”
In addition to their community service program, the KKN team visited Tanjung Gading Complex, a residential area for PT Inalum employees, on Wednesday (Jul. 19). Tanjung Gading Complex is located in Sei Suka District, Batu Bara Regency, North Sumatra.
This visit was conducted to observe the waste management system of Tanjung Gading Complex as a model for managing Lalang Village, the location of UGM Menyanjung Tiram. PT Inalum fully supported the study tour plan and introduced the processes of managing domestic and solid waste and the aluminum production process at the PT Inalum factory.
Although the visit aimed to find examples of good regional management to apply to the team’s area, PT Inalum was very open to the idea that the students’ innovations could also be used at Tanjung Gading Complex.
“The ideas and innovations of KKN students that are successfully applied in Lalang can also be applied in Tanjung Gading Complex,” said Henra Situmorang, PT Inalum’s general manager.
He appreciated the students’ idea of using grass to make paper and mosquito traps.
Dr. Widya Nayati, the field supervisor of UGM Menyanjung Tiram, hoped that the condition of Tanjung Gading Complex could be a place for students to learn good regional planning and mapping.
“It is indeed challenging to apply Inalum’s residential area to Lalang Village, but at least some adaptations can be made to achieve a clean, healthy, and safe area,” she said.
Author: Jannatul Qolbi, KKN Student
Editor: Gusti Grehenson