Based on data from the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, in 2021, as many as 75,303 children in Indonesia dropped out of school, with the majority being at the elementary to high school levels. This figure is quite high in big cities like Depok, especially in Kampung Melati, Sukmajaya, which was previously known as a scavenger village. The difficult economic conditions have led to a lack of understanding among the community, especially children, about the importance of saving as a step towards a better future.
In response to this, students of the Financial Administration and Banking Study Program, Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI), supervised by Vindaniar Yuristamanda Putri, S.I.A., M.M., held an educational program titled “Celenganku, Masa Depanku” (My Piggy Bank, My Future). This program invites 50 Kampung Melati children aged 5 to 16 years to learn to save in a creative and interactive way.
This program is divided into three classes, namely: Savings Class, Creative Class, and Form Class. Savings Class teaches the importance of setting aside money properly, through an event held at the end of last month, September 21. Yulial Hikmah, S.Si., M.Si., a lecturer at the UI Insurance Administration and Actuarial Study Program, introduced a target table piggy bank to help children monitor their savings progress. “We want children to understand the difference between needs and wants, so they can save more effectively,” said Yulial.
On Sunday, September 22, the program continued with the Creative Class, where children were invited to make piggy banks from recycled materials, such as used bottles. Dr. Fia Fridayanti Adam, M.Si., Head of the Department of Administration and Applied Business, who was also present, emphasized the importance of creativity as well as environmental awareness. “In addition to saving, this activity also fosters a sense of concern for the environment,” said Fia.
The peak of this program occurred on Saturday, September 28, in the Form Class, where children evaluated the development of their savings. Abizhar, a 3rd grade elementary school participant, shared his experience. “I always set aside Rp2,000 from my daily pocket money. The piggy bank that we made together with the UI seniors really motivated me to keep saving,” he said.
In addition to education about saving, the UI student team also established a Reading Corner at the Tulip RW 030 Posyandu, Kampung Melati, to increase the reading interest of local children. The Director of the UI Vocational Education Program, Padang Wicaksono, Ph.D., explained that financial literacy needs to be accompanied by critical and analytical thinking skills. “We hope that this Reading Corner will not only support the improvement of financial literacy, but also build children’s enthusiasm for learning in various aspects,” said Padang.
This community service activity is part of UI’s efforts to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “This program is expected to be sustainable and able to provide a positive impact on the future of the children of Kampung Melati, creating a generation that is wise in managing finances and cares about the environment,” added Padang.
