27 UGM students participating in community service (KKN-PPM) have successfully reduced childhood stunting rates in Jepara Regency, namely in Jambu Village and Sekuro Village.
One hundred forty-four children suffered from childhood stunting in these two villages before the student community service program started in June. However, during the program execution, it fell to 123 kids after around 45 days.
“There has been a reduction of around 21 children during the implementation,” said Mlonggo District Head Sulistyo on Tuesday (7/8).
Sulistyo expressed appreciation for the success of the community service program, which has assisted the district government in reducing stunting rates which has now become a national program.
“We are truly assisted. These students have carried out many work programs, including addressing stunting, which has become a national and local strategic issue,” he stated.
According to Sulistyo, UGM students have truly applied the knowledge they acquired on campus to be used in the community to address issues in each village.
“What they have done is truly remarkable. The innovations and creative ideas developed together with the community will continue to contribute to reducing stunted growth. UGM students have genuinely put into practice what they have gained from the campus in the Mlonggo district,” he explained.
The head hopes UGM will continue deploying students in his area, especially for empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) along the northern coastal region and developing tourist destinations.
Nicolas Kriswinara, a student coordinator of the Mlonggo unit, stated that the stunting reduction program was one of the four flagship programs his team carried out.
Kris, as he is familiarly known, explained that the program entailed mapping each household in coordination with eight health posts. They also provide counseling and education on stunted growth.
“We conduct social mapping of the causes of problems that occur by measuring height per age of toddlers, interdisciplinary cooperation for prevention, such as drug counseling for mothers and promoting the consumption of fish, soybeans, and bananas,” he said.
Kris mentioned that the team also distributed free supplementary food and taught how to prepare food from available sources, targeting groups of mothers in the two villages.
“We visited 7-8 health posts at least 2-3 times a week in collaboration with cadres to assess the number of stunted children, conduct checks, and provide supplementary food. We also teach how to prepare suitable food to address stunting,” he added.
Dr. Nanung Agus Fitriyanto, the sub-directorate head of community service at UGM, stated that the innovation and success of the work programs are among the evaluation criteria for community service.
Students are also expected to apply their knowledge and understand the ethical and normative values prevailing in the community.
“Beyond implementing their knowledge, students also understand the ethics, norms, and customs of the community, thus emphasizing the program’s goal of enhancing empathy and concern,” he noted.
Commission V Chair of UGM’s Academic Senate, Professor Deendarlianto, appreciated the students’ achievements in Jepara.
He stated that the Academic Senate also evaluates the extent of UGM’s significant role in collaborating with local governments to address various issues in the community and support development programs.
“We conduct a qualitative assessment of the extent to which community service activities directly impact the community in achieving SDGs, development programs, and human resource enhancement,” he explained.
Professor Deendarlianto highlighted that the experiences students gain during community service are expected to enhance their competencies to contribute to the nation’s advancement after graduation.
“At the very least, community service provides new experiences for the students,” he concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson