Supiori district is one of the new regencies in Biak Island which is located on a hard and dry rock, therefore known as “the city on the rock”. Supiori is divided into 5 districts, and one of them is Southern Supiori with the administrative center in Korido, directly bordered by the southern bay of the corido, Eastern Supiori to the East, the Aruri Islands district to the west, and North Supiori and East Supiori to the north. Southern Supiori with an area of 79 km ² has 7 villages, including Kunef (Didiabolo), Odori, Fanindim Baniki, Awaki, Warbenfondi, and Maryaidori.
Warbefondi, Korido, and Rani Island in the Aruri Archipelago District is the location of community service by student community service-community empowerment learning PPA 04 team of Universitas Gadjah Mada in 2015. student community service-community empowerment learning team of 24 people with 14 men and 10 women with the main theme “Non-Formal Education Eduation Alternative for Supiori Community Supporting Improvement of Economic Capacity of Society and Original Income Potency Supiori”. This theme was chosen because it sees poor education in Supiori society.

Advancement of a nation depends on the quality of human resources that exist in a nation. Especially after observing the student community service team found that many children in Warbefondi who can not read and write. This shows that there are still many Indonesian children who have not been able to read, write and most of them live in the deep and far from the city.
After knowing the problem, a student community service of UGM make illiteracy eradication program. This program is strongly supported by the local Education Office to eradicate illiteracy, as it is vital and will be closely linked to various sectors, whether education, economics, health, and many others to improve the welfare of the community.
Then the children are very enthusiastic to follow the program of learning illiteracy eradication with the spirit and diligent study to be able to read and write. Learning activities are also interspersed with play activities to be able to eliminate boredom in learning. In addition, students from student community service-community empowerment learning also tell and introduce some ideals and dreams to the children to be able to give encouragement to learn to them in living the future.
This illiteracy eradication program runs successfully with almost two months running. This is judged from some children who previously could not recognize letters and at the last meeting of the program in the afternoon class, they can already write and recognize letters and even string words. Although there are still stammering in reading, but it is a good process from before yet can not at all. And other successes inspire children to learn to read and write well.
Because most of the children do not have a good spirit of learning. Learning activities are not an important thing for children though it will be a provision of life in the future. Therefore, student community service give encouragement and encouragement to the children to enthusiastically and actively learn for their future which starts from daily learning process for a better life.

Java, as the most populated island in Indonesia, have a total population of 141.000.000 people (National Statistical Bureau, 2012). Surprisingly, while it is also deemed as the most developed island in comparison with other areas in the country, Java is also one of the biggest contributor in national illiteracy number. As quoted from a statement made by the directorate general of early age education and people education -Harris Iskandar- from about 5.900.000 illiterate population in Indonesia, 3.006.245 lives in Java. That number is then spread out to 1.458.184 illiterates in East Java, 943.683 in Central Java, while the other 604.378 lives in West Java.

Although a claimed 97.93% decline in national illiteracy number since the new presidency took place back in 2014 seems to be an outstanding achievement, it is still far from a total eradication of illiteracy. Literacy is important; from an individual perspective, one needs adequate literacy skills to participate and function happily within –and contribute to- one’s communities. From a collective perspective, a literate community is a dynamic community; a community that exchanges ideas, engages in dialogue is more innovative and productive. The sharing of ideas, perspectives, and concerns also leads to greater level of mutual understanding and caring. Our economy is also enhanced when literacy number goes up. Effective literacy skills open up doors to more educational and employment opportunities so that people are able to pull themselves out of poverty and chronic underemployment. In our increasingly complex and rapidly changing technological world, it is essential that individuals continuously expand their knowledge and learn new skills in order to keep up with the pace of change.

Faced with such essential and critical situation, Universitas Gadjah Mada –as the oldest and the first state university in Indonesia- has the moral obligation to elevate the literate statistic graph. In order to do so, “Illiteracy Eradication” has been a continuous Students Community Service-Community Empowerment Learning (SCS-CEL) theme since early 2006. Third year strata one UGM students and several international students are then sent to every corners of Indonesia to take on the literacy mission.

Partnering with the Ministry of National Education, a total of 490 SCS-CEL students in 2006 and 815 students in 2007, focused themselves in allover Java and Madura Island to eradicate illiteracy. This mission is done through different creative and innovative approaches; some SCS-CEL units developed a new creative learning methodology to teach reading and writing to elementary age children, while some others tried a more culture based approach when it comes to educating the elderly. For example, elementary age children are introduced to a more first-hand experience oriented learning outside their classical classroom while the elderly are gathered in a performance of Java Wayang Puppet in which the importance of learning and literacy are emphasized. Both type of approach proved to be appealing for those age groups, as there is a steep incline in numbers of participants; 2509 participants in 2006 to over 12.000 participants in 2007.  

Through the years, students participating in SCS-CEL UGM program are delighted to learn with the continuously reducing illiteracy rate in Java and Madura Island. Only through hard work and relentless effort, this illiteracy eradication program gained a 86.3% success ratio in 2006 and 87.5% success ratio in 2007. To this day, this program has been a symbol of UGM’s commitment to the development and quality enhancement of all Indonesian citizens.

The “9 Years Compulsory Education Promotion” program is designed by the government to answer today’s global needs and challenges. According to National Education Constitution No. 2/1989, the government is required to enhance the people’s standard of living through an obligation for citizens ranging from 7-12 years old and 12-15 years old to complete 6 years of elementary education and another 3 years of junior high school. It is deemed irrelevant for children allover Indonesia today to not complete a 9 years-minimum-education and living in illiteracy.

However, Indonesia’s archipelagic state made education standardization all over the country challenging. Moreover, the inequality of education in Indonesia is a structural problem, whereas in one hand education infrastructures and human resources to facilitate the process are hard to distribute. In the other hand, different cultural understandings on the importance of formal education and economic inequality throughout the nation also stands as an obstacle to education distribution.

Until today, UNICEF’s research has found about 2.5 million children in Indonesia are unable to access education. 600.000 children are unable to study at elementary level, and 1.9 million other doesn’t have access to junior high school. These numbers are also approved by the National Statistical Bureau (BPS). Several research conducted by BPS has founded that on a provincial and regency level, children coming from poor families are unable to start an elementary level education, moreover continuing their previous education to junior high.

To tackle this complication, UGM students agreed on doing a continuous and sustainable Student Community Service – Community Empowerment Learning (SCS-CEL) program with an emphasize on promoting “9 Years Compulsory Education Promotion”. In partnership with the Ministry of National Education, this program also attracts international students to join in. A total of 90 students in 2006, and 60 students in 2007 tackled the problem head on.

The focus area for these units are in Klaten, Sukoharjo, Karanganyar, Banjarnegara, and Wonosobo District in Central Java. Each unit developed their own way of doing the program with one mission in mind: to get children in school and keeping it that way. To do this, students in SCS-CEL units also have to be able to analyze the community’s condition: their livelihood, their cultural background, their social relations, and even daily challenges for the people. Only through a thorough understanding, the program will be effective and well-tailored to meet the people’s need.

Over the years, this program has been proven successful and has helped increased local community’s level of education enrolment. In Karanganyar District, the Gross Enrollment Rate (GER) has increased to 93.2%, in Sukoharjo 96.5%, and in Klaten 98.11%. Today, SCS-CEL students are spread to the remotest area in Indonesia to repeat their previous success in promoting “9 Years Compulsory Education” in Java.

For decades Gunung Kidul District in Yogyakarta Province has been suffering from immense drought. Even more, this devastating phenomenon is continuously spreading through 11 sub-districts from a total 18 sub-districts that constitutes Gunung Kidul. Those 11 sub-districts are Rongkop, Paliyan, Panggang, Girisubo, Purwosari, Tepus, Tanjungsari, Nglipar, Patuk, Ponjong, and Ngawen. Local authorities have concluded; the rapidly-subsiding rain water ponds are the cause of this long draught.

In a state of desperation, 8 out of 11 impacted sub districts have appealed for a clean water supply drop from the provincial government. President Joko Widodo has even instructed every head of districts to check his/her area regarding any possibility of drought. However, due to financial and access limitation, supply drops are getting harder and harder to be delivered.

Researchers from Universitas Gadjah Mada have been trying to look for water supply alternatives to help solve the drought problem in Gunung Kidul. It turns out a number of UGM scientists discovered an underground water resource at Plawan Cave, Giricahyo Village, Purwosari sub-district back in 2004. The only problem was, locals couldn’t get to the water source due to the fact that it was located 107 meters below ground level and 2 meters in diameter.

To answer such challenge, Universitas Gadjah Mada commenced a continuous Student Community Service-Community Empowerment Learning (SCS-CEL) program focusing on one main goal: providing a sustainable and manageable water source for Giricahyo Village. Considering the importance of this mission, UGM opened its doors for multiple stakeholder cooperation. Surprisingly not only local stakeholders responded, the international community joins hand in hand to solve this issue. In 2007, foreign students and professors coming from: Hanseo University in South Korea (35 students, 4 professors), Hiroshima Economic University in Japan (33 students, 6 professors), Seoul Women University in South Korea (23 students, 2 lecturers), Chuo University in Japan (4 students), Adger University College in Norway (18 students), and 2 students from Spain and Australia came to Yogyakarta to join UGM’s SCS-CEL program.

The first step is “Water Exploration through Renewable Energy”. A total of 185 students divided into 7 batches of SCS-CEL program, worked together with partners from Ministry of National Education, Ministry of General Works, Institute of Development and Application Technology, local government of Gunung Kidul, and the National Bank Association to undergo this initial task. Observations were conducted using different approaches and instruments to get a comprehensive assessment on the precise location and possible techniques to pump the underground water up and distribute it to the whole village.

Following the observation, SCS-CEL students with cooperation from local residents started the construction of underground pipes which is then accompanied by on ground pipe construction. These pipes will be useful to transport water supply from the underground spring to a reservoir on ground, before being distributed to each house. A hybrid powerplant was built for the pumping system. In it was an electrical generator with 55 Kva power, and solar panels with photo-voltaic module, accumulator, inverter, and a direct-coupling system or storage. To ensure a sustainable supply of water, on ground reservoir was built with a capacity of 60 m3. Water stored in the reservoir will be able to be distributed to 7 villages supported by 26 outlet points.

After water supply was ensured, a problem of management arise. SCS-CEL students held countless lobbying and meeting with residents of seven village community to form a “Water Supply Management Board”. The first step was identification and recognition on local problem and potency which is then continued by the forming of water management organization. Students coming from law faculty also helped in determining legal status for the organization. To ensure the wellbeing of the operation, trainings on management and water supply operation was also held several times.

Until today, the water supply program is implemented according to initial planning. Each year, SCS-CEL students undergo a continuation and development program to further the widespread of water supply from Giricahyo Village to other villages in all 11 drought-impacted sub districts while not forgetting to maintain the reservoir in hand. This successful multiple-stakeholder program is a form of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s commitment to do research and development for the people.

May 27th, 2006 will forever be remembered by every yogyakartans as one of the darkest days in history. A devastating 6.2 Richter-scale earthquake happened at 5.54 am struck 15 miles south of the city of Yogyakarta. In less than a minute, the roofs of homes caved in, many on top of sleeping inhabitants, even hotels, historical monuments and government buildings collapsed. As the panicking victims ran into the smouldered streets, many are worried with the possibility of another follow up earthquake which eventually happened repetitively at 06.10 am, 08.15 am, and 11.22 am.

A social affairs ministry official said the death toll had reached 3,505 people while thousand others are injured. As quoted from The Guardian, doctors struggled to care for the injured, hundreds of whom were lying on plastic sheets and even newspapers outside the overcrowded hospital. This natural disaster has led to continuous cases of social life disruption; mass population decline, families falling into poverty rapidly as they lose their possessions, educational stagnancy as schools closes, etc.

Being a university that practices Tri Dharma values; teaching-educating, research, and community service, Universitas Gadjah Mada opened its doors to aid yogyakartans in their post-earthquake recovery process. Students joined in “Student Community Service-Community Empowerment Learning” (SCS-CEL Program) are then appointed as the spearhead of UGM’s post-disaster relief mission focusing in Bantul District as the most damaged area. In the mission, three programs are planned simultaneously to help the victims rebuild and continue their daily life: Damage Assessment, Life-skill Education for Underage Victims, and Semi Permanent Houses Construction.

Assessing the damage done by the massive earthquake is vital to identify physical remains at Piyungan Subdistrict, Bantul District. A total of 180 UGM students were then divided into several work units to, first of all, construct a comprehensive database consisting of names of victim family members, previous address, damaged possessions, etc. The database which was made possible through cooperation with RHK Project Management, and UGM SMEDC (Small and Medium Enterprise Development Center) was then used to plan semi-permanent housing areas, and building reconstructions.

The construction of semi-permanent houses doesn’t come easy. In cooperation with United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and UGM Agricultural Training, Research, and Development Center (KP4), a team of 35 students focused their work at Trimulyo Village, Jetis Subdistrict, Bantul District. At the end of the 2 months program, 125 semi-permanent buildings were constructed. UGM realized that this program was going to be a long run, therefore it was then established as a continuous program for years to come under the name of “SCS-CEL Economic Recovery Program”.
To help “rebuild” the human resources, 90 UGM students also developed a teaching and certification program with the help of Ministry of National Education and Provincial Education Office of Yogyakarta. 50 residents of previously-damaged Sidomulyo and Potorono Village in Bantul District gained new certified professional skills; 10 craftsmen, 10 electricians, 10 mechanics, 10 printing designers, and 10 chefs.

These three programs are symbols of UGM’s commitment towards social welfare development. By joining the SCS-CEL program, students got the chance to give back and answer the people’s call for help. Only through real life practice such as the SCS-CEL, empathy can be translated to real and positive impact for the community.

Village of Jelatik (Unit KKN BBL 10) is one of the locations of KKN Periode Gasal 2017, with the theme, “Facing the Village of Jelitik Sungailiat District Bangka Regency as a Special Economic Zone (KEK) of Bangka Regency”. The potential in this region is quite promising as a special economic area, especially in the field of tourism. The potential of nature as a tourist spot in the form of a clean beach area with a promising natural scenery that is currently being worked on by the government and investors. This condition is expected by the local government of Bangka able to be generated through skilled hands and intellectual creativity, that is through KKN-PPM UGM activities.

An initial week is used by KKN students for self-socialization and self-adjustment as well as setting up appropriate program activities. Most of the activities began to be directed to mapping the potential of the region, especially village of Jelitik. In collaboration with Development Planning Agency at Sub-National Level, several activities in order to formulate the strategy village Jelitik program as a special economic zone to be conical.
The second week has been arranged program, such as: mapping and excavation of village potency until planning JELIFEST activity (Festival of UMKM in Village Jelitik) at the end of KKN UGM activity. Motor drive program is to carry out entrepreneurship training, tourism promotion Gulf of Uber Tickling, increasing the potential of livestock and plantation (fields) cassava, and others. This is to be able to help the surrounding community in improving themselves in managing the potential of nature around them.

In the field of public health, Community Service Program UGM this unit gives special attention to environmental health, especially waste management. In the field of science make disaster mitigation program and making of evacuation path. In the social sciences of the humanities, in particular the arts and culture teams make programs to raise the traditional art of the village and documenting stories containing local wisdom.
These programs are expected to help the surrounding community to realize the potential and manage it well. Because without good management the good potential will not be a product of high value. This is what students feel to be able to help the community with what can be done with the community to increase awareness and knowledge of the community about the natural wealth and culture that can become a tourist attraction.

Penagan Village, part of West Mendo district in the Bangka Belitung Islands province was chosen to be one of SCS-CEL UGM unit location in early 2017. In this village there is a group of 30 students; consisting of 26 students from medical cluster, 3 students from agro cluster, and 1 student coming from social-humanities cluster. They are “BBL Unit 12” which a main unit program called “Mangrove Crab Cultivation in Penagan Village”.

Due to the success of its previous program that took place around 2 years ago, BBL Unit 12 decided to re-implement the theme. One problem that has just surfaced recently is the damaged and corrupted mangrove crabs ponds, due to the location of the cultivation of that is too close to the river and its water level is easily influenced by the sea tides. Therefore the SCS-CEL unit plans to move the location of the mangrove crab pond to a much safer and secure location from the potential flood.

The mangrove crab cultivation program, which has been done for the past two years, have a positive impact for the community because it had felt the harvesting of ponds. However, due to an uprising flood intensity, the shrimp ponds have been damaged. Realizing the positive impacts of mangrove crab cultivation program for the people of Penagan Village and acknowledging problems that have happened, SCS-CEL BBL unit 12 decided to offer newly developed solution. To do that, the SCS-CEL unit in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries of Bangka Regency -represented by Mrs. Tri Rahmawati- held socialization activities in order to promote the importance and benefits of the mangrove crab cultivation program.

After the socialization program, the next was to establish a group of coordinators to manage the mangrove crab cultivation, which was then named “Civilizer Abadi 2”. To ensure the sustainability of mangrove crab cultivation, the coordinators also required an institution that can be a joint container. To solve the problem, BBL Unit 12 decided to help the forming of BUMDES (village-owned business entity) with an emphasis on fishery. It is expected that this business unit as a manager of mangrove pond will later be useful for all Penagan villagers.

In addition to the main theme of mangrove crab cultivation, this SCS-CEL unit also undergone several non-thematic programs. The programs were divided into several fields, such as; health, agriculture, environment, and education programs. Those programs were a respond to a problem of poor waste management in Penagan Village. In order to maintain the village health level, a process of good waste management is needed. To increase public awareness to dispose of garbage in place. Supported by garbage dumping until the garbage has good economic value.

UGM’s KKN program gives many new experiences for each participant because it will live in a new place in a certain period of time. This experience is felt by Charles Beafort, one of the many international students who joined SCS-CEL program for two weeks from the 23 of November until the 7 of December (TAHUN BERAPA). “SCS-CEL was a very nice experience. It allowed me to discuss with Indonesian people, farmers, and student from the other faculty and exchange about our cultures as they were as interested in mine as I was in their” said Charles.

Charles also said that through SCS-CEL, he has gained many new positive values. For example, he now knows Indonesia better by going directly to a new environment which he never visited before. Going to a new place also opens the experience for a new intercultural interaction, after which Charles concluded that Indonesia is a very multicultural and diverse nation.

Charles went to do his SCS-CEL program in Sendangsari village, located in Minggir sub-district, Sleman district, Yogyakarta. Sendangsari village has most of its area covered by paddy fields as it is considered a rural area. Most of Sendangsari villagers go through their day by farming.

In his SCS-CEL program, Charles went alongside with other team members and gave out classes to local children on fishing, the importance of hygiene and healthy life style. This string of classes was meant to introduce local children to topics that are very closely related to their daily life and thus important to be known early.

In addition, Charles also provided elementary level English teaching to children in his neighborhood. He taught the kids how to greet other people politely and other basic conversation skills they might need to communicate with foreigners. Introducing English early on is important, considering in the present era, English is vital for an international exposure.

Through this SCS-CEL UGM program, Charles has learned many things that he did not know before living in the vicinity of UGM. He gained new knowledge and perspective on life, culture, and other positive values that will help him grow as a better and wiser person.

Ngentak hamlet is located on the south side of Yogyakarta, which is not far off from some new beaches that has recently been a prominent international tourist destination. Ngentak hamlet is a part of Poncosari village, in Srandakan sub-district, Bantul district, Yogyakarta. The village of itself has a total area of 1. 186, 122 ha. The administrative boundary of Poncosari village is adjacent to Trimurti village to the north, Gadingsari Village in Sadden Subdistrict to the east, and Progo (VILLAGE? SUBDISTRICT?) to the west.

The total population of Poncosari is about 14,158 people, consisting of 6,723 males and 7,435 females. 0-12 months old is the fewest age group with only 263 inhabitants, while 15-56 years old contributes the most to total population with about 7,945 inhabitants.

On the 5th November 2015, students participating in SCS-CEL UGM came to Ngentak hamlet to conduct their community development programs. The program is a form of “Tri Dharma University” values implementation, which is encouraging students to serve the community. Students of UGM are urged to share and apply their knowledge to develop small and marginalized communities all over Indonesia.

Baptiste Maillot, a French citizen, is one of many International students who took part in the SCS-CEL program conducted in Ngentak hamlet. This SCS-CEL program for Baptise is a new and challenging experience which he has never done before.

One program conducted by Baptiste during his SCS-CEL was to provide English classes to elementary school students. In addition, he also taught French language to students as it is one of the most internationally used language. Baptiste believed that through understanding these two languages, students will be more prepared for an international exposure.

SCS-CEL Ngentak Unit also created an event called “Cultural Day” in which all villagers from different age groups were invited. As the invitation was positively responded, every residents of Ngentak –old and young- made their way to the venue. The event itself was creatively presented; games and art shows involving parents and children made it a special and unforgettable day. On top of that, the SCS-CEL unit also cooked French cuisine to be shared with everybody. This is one way to introduce a foreign culture to the people of Ngentak, as most of them have never tried French cooking.

By the time their SCS-CEL program ends, it is expected that international students will be able to have new knowledge and insights on Indonesian culture, arts, and most importantly a rural community’s day by day livelihood. A cultural exchange will also benefit the local community, as it gives an extensive knowledge on other international communities.

Agriculture plays an immense role in Indonesia’s national development agenda. This is mainly due to Indonesia’s ever-increasing population number which correlates positively with the increasing need of food supply. Unfortunately this vital sector has yet been given enough attention and care by the government. According to Balai Pusat Statistik (BPS) data, the number of Indonesian population who works in agriculture sector decreases every year. In one year span since 2013, a total of 39.22 million farmers decreased to 38.97 million. The numbers drop once more in 2015, to only 37.75 million farmers. This continuous downturn is a reflection of Indonesia agriculture sector’s inability to support and provide a decent livelihood for its farmers.

The farming community of Serang Village, Karangreja District, at Purbalingga Regency is a perfect example of the national phenomenon. Their main crops are quite diversified, for example: strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), chili pepper (Capsicum annuum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), and carrot (Daucus carota). However, to counter constant economic pressures, farmers of Serang have developed alternative forms of communal income; strawberry farms agro-tourism.  

Sadly enough, Serang farmers are still facing a list of problems when it comes to farmland management. These problems only came to surface after UGM students did a joint analysis with students from Ibaraki University Japan during their Students Community Service – Community Empowerment Learning (SCS-CEL) program in 2013. For instance, there is yet a proper and effective planting design plan for each crops in Serang although it is needed to face unstable climate conditions. Farmer’s inability to creatively promote and add more sale value to their raw crop products is also considered a problem to the students for it does not provide better income for the community.  Another issue is supply chain complexity, in which the farmers does not have the ability to sell their products directly to consumers. On top of all, bugs and pests only gave more anxiousness to the people.

After thoroughly analyzing the issue, SCS-CEL Serang unit decided that the first step to improve Serang farmer’s agriculture potential is through mentoring. The team specifically focused on strawberry cultivation mentoring in order to increase its quality hence a higher sale price.

Serang Unit also supported strawberry farm agrotourism as a new emerging tourism destination through public education. This step is deemed needed as good planning and organizing skills are vital to enhance the community’s knowledge on tourism management.

This program was made successful from the extensive and efficient collaboration of several stakeholders, namely Purbalingga Regency local government, Serang villagers, SCS-CEL students, and farmers.  Students from Ibaraki University were also happy and glad to be able to learn Indonesian values as they also contributed in making Indonesian agriculture sector better.