Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has again deployed its students to participate in the Community Service Program (KKN). This includes international students pursuing undergraduate studies at UGM.
Such is the case with UGM students in Tirtoadi and Tlogoadi Villages, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Province. Among the 29 KKN participants from various faculties, two students from Germany and one from France interact with the local community and carry out work programs despite facing language barriers.
“The main challenge is, of course, cultural differences due to different languages and habits. It took me quite some time to adapt. Fortunately, we have a solid team that has helped me a lot in interacting with the residents,” said Christine, a student from Germany, on Thursday (Aug. 8).
In implementing the KKN program, the students were supported by the residents of the two villages and village officials, including the village heads and neighborhood leaders, who assisted them in executing various programs such as waste management, the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), reducing stunting rates, and promoting clean and healthy living.
Another international student, Lilu from France, mentioned that she is trying to understand the Indonesian language and blend in with the residents.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this KKN program. I’ve learned a lot about local culture made many new friends, and I hope to keep in touch with the team and village residents even after the program ends,” she said.
During the KKN, Lilu was actively involved in the waste management program. This program focused on controlling environmental pollution and encouraging the community to repurpose waste into high-value products.
Using a circular economy approach, the students were taught how to process organic waste from household food scraps for Black Soldier Fly (BSF) maggot cultivation and turn fallen leaves into organic fertilizer.
“As international students, we aim to expose school children in the village to foreign languages. We became English teachers at the elementary school,” Nicole said enthusiastically. She thanked UGM for including her in the KKN and providing an extraordinary experience.
The Head of Tirtoadi Village, Mardiharto, welcomed the work programs carried out by the KKN students. Mardiharto revealed that the village’s priority programs include utilizing yard space for integrated farming and organic waste management.
“Coincidentally, a lot of agricultural land has been lost due to the construction of a toll road passing through our village. So we are trying to help residents maximize their yards by planting vegetables, raising small-scale laying hens, or cultivating fish in buckets,” Mardiharto explained.
Mardiharto added that if the community can become self-sufficient in food production, the child stunting rate can be reduced.
“If there is surplus production of vegetables, eggs, or fish, they can be exchanged for rice or other commodities, as long as family nutrition is maintained first before selling,” he said.
He also mentioned that to reduce waste generation, Mardiharto has encouraged residents to sort waste. He believes small efforts can ease the burden on the Piyungan landfill, as Yogyakarta is still in a waste emergency.
“The students also have programs for processing organic and inorganic waste, which aligns well with our programs. We have already tried cultivating BSF maggots from food scraps, and I hope with the presence of KKN students, it can run better,” he said.
Mardiharto added that the BSF maggots produced by the residents could be used as fish and livestock feed, while the resulting compost will be used as organic fertilizer to enrich yard soil and make it more productive for growing vegetables.
The Head of the Sub-directorate of KKN, UGM Directorate of Community Service, Professor Nanung Agus Fitriyanto, expressed his appreciation to the village officials who have welcomed and helped the KKN students complete their work programs.
The programs run by the students align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goals of ending hunger through stunting prevention, developing MSMEs to alleviate poverty by empowering the community to drive the economy, and preserving land ecosystems through waste management.
“We hope that what the students have done will become a valuable legacy that the community can utilize,” Professor Fitriyanto concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographer: Firsto