In Tamansari Village, Bekasi Regency, West Java, dozens of students from the Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FIA UI), promoted the importance of community-based sanitation. From August 5 to 9, 2024, as part of the FUNDES (FIA for the Village) community service program, students carried out various activities based on the Community-Based Total Sanitation (STBM) approach. Throughout the program, students educated and encouraged residents to practice clean and healthy sanitation, manage waste, and maintain environmental cleanliness through six main activities.

The first initiative aimed to prevent flooding by introducing biopore infiltration holes to elementary school students at SDN Tamansari 01. Biopores help reduce surface water volume, prevent erosion, and store groundwater reserves. Students enthusiastically participated in creating these 1-2 meter deep holes with a diameter of 10-15 cm, filling them with soil once completed.

The second activity focused on the Handwashing with Soap (CTPS) program. At Nurul Yaqin Islamic Learning Center (TPQ), students taught children proper handwashing techniques to prevent infectious diseases such as diarrhea and cholera. The session included fun songs and interactive movements to keep the children engaged. Fauzan Irsyad Hernawan, the program’s coordinator, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Children are a vulnerable group susceptible to infections. They play together, share food, and touch various objects daily, making them highly at risk.”

Household drinking water management was another priority. Using water test strips, students tested tap water and drinking water samples from local households. The tests indicated that the water was still safe for consumption, raising awareness among residents about the importance of clean water.

The improper disposal of baby diapers also poses environmental risks, as they contain super absorbent polymer (SAP), which is difficult to decompose. Contaminated diapers can lead to diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera. Recognizing this issue, students educated mothers on the environmental impacts of improper diaper disposal and facilitated group discussions involving community leaders, youth, and healthcare workers.

The final two activities involved producing ecobricks and eco-enzymes. Ecobricks were made by stuffing plastic bottles with compressed dry inorganic waste, reducing waste volume and promoting recycling. Students also taught mothers how to make eco-enzymes by fermenting a mixture of one part brown sugar, ten parts water, and three parts organic waste (such as fruit peels or vegetable scraps). After three months, the fermented product can be used as liquid organic fertilizer, floor cleaner, or natural pesticide.

Harti Widya, a Patriot Desa facilitator collaborating on the FUNDES project, expressed her joy over the program’s success. “I’m happy with this collaboration because it strengthens community life. I hope FUNDES continues to nurture social awareness and sensitivity to community issues,” she said. One of the most memorable moments, according to Harti, was when the FUNDES team and Patriot Desa successfully mobilized local mothers to turn fruit peels into eco-enzymes—an initiative she hopes will inspire residents to be more proactive in waste management.

Lilis Nur Afifah, a teacher at Nurul Yaqin Islamic Learning Center, also shared her gratitude for the knowledge imparted to the children. “I hope this motivates them to pursue higher education and apply what they’ve learned, especially regarding environmental cleanliness,” she said emotionally.

The FUNDES program in Tamansari Village is a tangible example of how universities implement the Tri Dharma (Three Pillars of Higher Education) through community service. Collaboration between the Patriot Desa program, local government, and community health centers demonstrates that social issues can be addressed through multi-stakeholder cooperation. Going forward, the eight FIA UI students involved plan to conduct follow-up visits to ensure the program’s sustainability and continued positive impact on the community.