UNAIR NEWS –Maulana Satria Aji, a S-1 student of Public Health Faculty of Public Health 51¶¯Âþ has managed to change his neighborhood.His birthplace, Sidotopo, Surabaya has now become a pilot project of East Java family planning in 2016.
Aji is a 20 year old awardee of Bidikmisi education aid at UNAIR.The eldest of three siblings was a graduate of SMA Muhammadiyah I Surabaya.He had thought of stopping his education. He felt that his parents was already burdened with his siblings™ education.
However, he did not quickly give up.He got information from his senior about bidikmisi.It was the point he began to dream of studying at the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) UNAIR, to improve the face of his native land.
“My neighborhood was famous for various crimes.At that time, I was reluctant to contribute in the Youth association as I was worried that I will be influenced and follow their bad habits. I was also concerned to see my peers accustomed to drinking alcoholic beverages, “said Satria.
Step by step, he and six friends of his talked to the ‘frontman’ of drug users to have a discussion.It was not easy to make people change.That is what comes to Aji’s mind when inviting users to abandon drugs.He used to be insulted from the people around.
“At first they did not want to change.In fact, I often ridiculed because I often played to the community hall to get them to change.The called me Mr. Righteousand they even spat me, “said Aji toUNAIR News.
He did not stop there, Aji invited them to follow the activities organized by East Java Youth and Sports Agency and Drug and Narcotics Agency.After being quarantined for two weeks, they changed drastically.Like the domino effect, the good impact spread to the people around.
In 2016, an information and counseling center was established to share problems and all its solutions.In the same year, the Mayor of Tri Rismaharini inaugurated his village as Kampung Keluarga Berencana (KB).His role to support young people was appreciated.
” I was very pleased that Bu Risma came to visit us. Some people from Blitar even shed some tears to see our struggle to teach and give guidance without expecting rewards, “he explained.
Build a literate neighborhood
In addition to building his village, Aji who likes writing, became a delegate to the conference, both at home and abroad.Meeting great people in this country and exchange ideas about this nation.His belief in building the country through the community was embodied in the Student Teach Community Surabaya (KPMS).
The community has recently received the best community award from AIESEC.As head of the community, he initiated a teaching program in Sidotopo free of charge.They just have to ‘pay’ with the garbage that is then sorted for crafts.In addition to Sidotopo, KPMS is also present in Nginden, Tambak Wedi, and Sukolilo.
“At first I saw little kids busy playing gadgets and online games at the coffee shop.I was moved to invite them to fill their free time by learning.Studying school subjects or reading the Quran.Even before teaching activities begin, they pray together led by one of KPMS’s students, “added the owner of the cumulative grade index of 3.25.
In the future, he wanted to form a literate neighborhood that is currently being designed.There will be library and mural making.The goal is to cultivate the love of reading at age level from children to adults.
Author: Siti Nur Umami
Editor: Defrina Sukma S
