The 79th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia at the Motaain Cross Border Post (PLBN), Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Saturday, August 17, was attended by 23 students from Universitas Indonesia (UI). On that occasion, the person who acted as the Ceremony Inspector was the Head of the Agency for Strategic Policies of Home Affairs, Dr. Yusharto Huntoyungo, M.Pd.
“In order to realize the government’s commitment to ensuring that the spirit of independence is not only felt in the center of government, but also touches all corners of the country. The government pays great attention to the development of border areas as an integral part of efforts to strengthen national sovereignty and welfare,” said Dr. Yusharto who read the mandate from the Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian as Head of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP).
He further said that the border area is not only a territorial boundary line, but also functions as a showcase for the nation that shows the face of Indonesia to the world. Therefore, with this spirit of independence, the presence of UI students is not only to attend the raising of the red and white flag in the border area, but they are also present to carry out community service activities (pengmas).
“We initiated a community service program titled ‘Atambua Menggapai Pelita,’ which is an education and health intervention program for students of Inpres Motaain Elementary School, Atambua, and the community of Silawan Village, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara,” said Sabrina Nabila Putri, the Chief Executive who is also a student of FKG UI.
She said that this community service has been implemented since August 9 and focuses on improving the quality of education and health through a fun learning approach. This aims to increase students’ interest in learning and support their optimal development.
In addition, in order to improve the health and hygiene of students, the UI Community Service Team also built a hand washing area in the schoolyard. “We would like to express our gratitude for the visit from the Universitas Indonesia. The presence of fellow students here has greatly helped us in introducing and implementing clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS) to our students,” said Maria Tai S.Pd, Principal of Inpres Motaain Elementary, Atambua.
The implementation of the community service which is still ongoing until August 21, is a collaboration between the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG), the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Nursing (FIK), the Directorate of Community Service and Empowerment (DPPM) UI, and Research and Community Service (RPM) of FKG.
Those who attended the independence ceremony at the Motaain PLBN from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, included Khaliza Marzania, Lwanna Rasendriya, Nur Muhammad Rizky Mubaroq, Ahmad Mursyid Azhari, Chantalline Anardji, Nicko Mahesa Paramayuda, Tika Amalia, Indana Zulfa Nasyiah, Sanshia Karen Mamahit, Ammara Faiza Khairiya, Christopher Laurencius Edison, Lintang Andarini Putri, Nur Hayati Nurul Janah, and Azizah Agni. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Medicine UI students consisted of Ali Fadhilatul Mustajib, Aqila Bunga Nurhanin, Meifadina, Fikoh Farikhatun, Esti Maya Windarti, Ikhwa Amalia, Trisya Sonia Ikrimah, Aisyah Nur Rosidah, Kartika Listyani, and Aqila Nurul Fatiha.
The celebration of the 79th Indonesian Independence Day was a special experience for them, being far from their families and friends, and seeing how vast Indonesia is which has reached almost eight decades, so it brought a sense of emotion and excitement. Also present from various groups in the ceremony were the TNI and POLRI; Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS); Motaain International Goods Terminal (TBI); BNPP; Village Apparatus; Teachers; Students; School Students; Self-Defense Organizations; and the local community.
After the ceremony was completed, the UI Community Service Team also enlivened the independence celebration by holding a competition for the local community in the Motaain PLBN yard. The competition was divided into three categories, namely for elementary school students, junior high-high school students, and adults. Among the competitions were eating crackers, marbles, sack races, hat hooking, sarong volleyball, flour passing, and Balon Kereta Api (Train Balloons).
