IPB University Students Implement Program to Introduce Surrounding Environment and Waste Awareness for Students of SDN Cibitung Kulon 01

Lack of awareness and proper action towards environmental sustainability and waste management has caused serious problems such as environmental pollution and ecosystem damage.

To overcome these challenges, ASARASI together with several partners such as Female Power Green Camp, Kiara Foundation, Sahabat Laut Indonesia, Harimau Kita Forum and Pelita Desa carried out a series of environmental awareness and waste care program activities for students at Cibitung Public Elementary School (SDN) Kulon 01, Bogor.

ASARASI is a community founded by students and alumni of IPB University who are engaged in conservation and the environment. In the event, ASARASI acted as the main organizer, planned the activities and providing the necessary resources to facilitate children’s understanding of environmental issues and caring for waste.

“Me and my three other friends, namely Nanda, Larissa and Riza, have the same vision, which is to build a loving relationship for the younger generation to their environment. The problem is seeing today’s children mostly use their cellphones instead of going outside,” said Elif Ivana, Head of ASARASI.

Elif said, ASARASI uses various approaches to convey understanding to children. “We do a lot of trials, such as providing learning modules, exploring the surrounding environment as well as training children’s sensory and motor skills. The purpose is to let children feel close to their environment. Besides that, there are also many games that indirectly contain materials about the environment,” added Elif.

ASARASI, he continued, also carried out a simple campaign regarding ‘Care for Waste’ in the environment around the school. “What’s more exciting is that we are training children’s courage and self-confidence with a simple campaign about caring for waste in the surrounding community,” he said.

He hopes that in the future these activities can be sustainable to continue and build a loving relationship for the younger generation to their environment. “Hopefully ASARASI can be a driving force in promoting conservation and collaborating with more communities or foundations that have the same vision,” concluded Elif. (ADP/LHG/Rz) (IAAS/BKU)