06 December 2024
Fenny Julistine Tarigan
Four students from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) took part in the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, which aimed to provide educational and cultural enrichment for Indonesian children living in Malaysia. The students were involved in various humanitarian projects, including providing access to quality education, cultural enrichment, and technological literacy for stateless Indonesian children in Malaysia. The students' involvement in the program exemplifies their dedication to humanitarian causes and their desire to empower underprivileged children. The MBKM program aims to foster social responsibility and community involvement among students, and the students' participation reflects the program's emphasis on transforming higher education institutions into independent campuses that encourage social responsibility.
Arisando Silitonga and Julkifli Simanjuntak from Ethnomusicology department, participated in a Humanitarian Project in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aimed at providing access to quality education and cultural enrichment for Indonesian children living in Malaysia. During this project, Arisando and Julkifli were equipped with knowledge and passion through an intensive Event Management course. They were assigned to a community center where they went beyond the role of a teacher, providing essential learning opportunities and introducing traditional musical instruments and dances, such as the Batak Toba instruments. The students also promote awareness of North Sumatran heritage, particularly the Toba Batak tribe. This experience highlighted the profound possibilities of cultural exchange and the transformative power of music, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiring others to bridge communities through the universal language of music.
In addition, Kimsang Silalahi who participated in the program, said that his pleasure in being part of this crucial initiative, stating, “Education is a fundamental right that every child deserves. It is disheartening to witness the struggles faced by stateless Indonesian children in Malaysia. By participating in MRPTNI's Education for All initiative, we aim to make a tangible impact in the lives of these children and provide them with the opportunity to build a better future”. Kim's involvement in the program aligns with his dedication to humanitarian causes and his desire to instill technological literacy within the network.
Similarly, Muhammad Naufal Zain, a dedicated Nursing Science student, conducted his service at Sanggar Bimbingan Subang Mewah and Srimuda. Naufal's project represents the program's ethos by providing educational resources, basic skills training, and character-building activities to underprivileged children in need. Naufal stated, "The potential within each child inspires me, and I’m committed to providing them with the tools they need to succeed". Through collaborative efforts, he believes he can positively impact their lives and empower them to achieve their dreams."
The humanitarian program has encouraged students to pursue individual learning experiences, explore various fields of knowledge, and develop critical thinking skills. The project exemplifies the values by providing educational resources, basic skills training, and character-building activities. The MBKM program aims at fostering social responsibility and community involvement among students.
With the support of various institutions, including Universitas Sumatera Utara, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, and INTI International University, the USU students seeks to create a nurturing environment where underprivileged children can thrive intellectually and emotionally.
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