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UNAIR NEWS – A total of 20 students from different universities were selected to conduct expeditions of social activities. The expedition was a part of Indonesian Youth Social Expedition which took place from February 3 to 12, Sambelia Sub-district, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province.

One of the 20 students was Virga Efendi, a student of Faculty of Law ¶«¾©ÈÈ. In addition to UNAIR, some other students who participated were from University of Indonesia, University of North Sumatra, Diponegoro University, Semarang State University, Trunojoyo Madura University.

There were also from Mataram University, Bogor Agricultural University, Brawijaya University, Ten November Institute of Technology, University of Riau, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Syarif Hidayatullah University Jakarta, Technical School PLN Jakarta, and Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya.

The expedition was first held by the Yale Institute. Interestingly, there were more than 1200 applicants who registered. Through various selection process, Virga was with 19 other students chosen to follow the social activity.

There were four groups which each have a social program aimed to help the local community. The four groups were education division, health division, creative economy division and environmental social division. During 10 days of expedition in Labuhan Pandan Village, there were many activities that Virga and other students did.

“The challenge was from that the place which is endemic for malaria. So the delegates should be careful not to get infected as the activity took place in the rainy season, “said Virga who joined in the education division.

In Labuhan Pandan Village, Virga’s programs and teams include Inspiration Class , Nationality Class , Mengaji Class and Bimbel and making Saung Pintar. For the making of Saung Pintar program , a book donation was held. The books come from donors spread in various regions in Indonesia.

MTSN Riyodus Sholihin Sambelia was selected for Smart Saung program . The school does not have a library yet. Therefore, Saung Pintar was expected to facilitate children to have reading room and reading material.

Virga hoped what he and the 19 other students from various universities did could foster the spirit of younger generation to pursue their dreams. Virga said, all activities received warm welcome and assistance from the village head, village apparatus, and the local community.

Incidentally, the delegates were invited to take part in the tradition of the Sasak tribal procession, Gendhang Belig, welcoming the newly appointed village chief.

“In the invitation, delegates walked in customs clothes Sasak tribe about 1.5 kilometers. Gendhang Belig complemented the devotion activities. An exciting new experience that was hard to forget, “Virga recalled.

°Õ´ÇÌýUNAIR NEWS , Virga shared about their journey. The meeting point was in Surabaya, followed by a trip to West Nusa Tenggara Province for 20 hours with Legundi Ship. Arriving at the Port of Lembar, Lombok, then they drove for three hours drive to Sambelia Sambelia.

After this activity, Virga hoped that later he can visit and meet the children and locals again.

“Because we believe anyone can dream and realize their dreams, wherever they are from, “he said.

Meanwhile, other delegates shared their experiences during their stay in Labuhan Pandan Village.

“Alhamdulillah , the entire work program was completed and well organized,” said Gandhi Satria, a Trunojoyo Madura University student who is also part of the education division.

”ÌýAlhamdulillah , many were willing to donate reading books for kids, thank you,” said Amirush Shaffa, a student of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, related to Saung Pintar work program  held at MTSN Riyodus Sholihin Sambelia. (*)

Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh