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Consisting of 18 students, the group brought forward the spirit of literacy and creative education through the initiative “Literacy and Education for the Mandapajaya Community Based on Creative Approaches and Effective Use of Facilities.”

According to Group 18 Leader Davina Alya Munifah (Agricultural Engineering, 2023), several fundamental challenges were identified. The schools still relied on old buildings with limited facilities; only one projector was available and rarely used. Although each teacher had received a government-provided laptop, most were not yet confident in integrating technology into their teaching.

Learning methods tended to remain conventional, while students often appeared passive and hesitant to ask questions. The lack of reading materials also posed a serious issue, school libraries were barely functioning due to outdated collections, and classrooms had no reading corners to spark students’ interest in literacy. Teachers expressed hope that ITB students could introduce more interactive methods aligned with the needs of today’s learners.

To address these issues, the students launched an interactive teaching program called “Lentera Mengajar.” Conducted almost every school day, it covered Mathematics, Science, Indonesian, English, and character education. Lessons were made more engaging through quizzes, educational games, contextual storytelling, and simple experiments.

Students were invited to grow seedlings, observe a simulated volcanic eruption, and test density using eggs and salt. These practical activities successfully nurtured students’ curiosity about science, with many proudly showing off the seedlings they cared for. Teachers also praised these methods for bringing a refreshing change to the classroom.

Beyond teaching, the students introduced a reading corner movement by providing bookshelves for every classroom and reorganizing the school library. Collections of comics, novels, and textbooks, sourced from donations gathered earlier in August, transformed the reading atmosphere. Class reading corners quickly became new spaces for self-learning, while libraries that were once quiet began to draw enthusiastic young readers.

The group also organized an innovative teaching workshop for teachers, introducing simple technologies such as Wayground, PowerPoint, and Excel. Despite initial challenges, the teachers showed great enthusiasm, with some committing to develop digital teaching media for immediate classroom application.

Parents were also engaged through sessions on scholarship opportunities and educational access. Using discussions and simple infographics, the students explained pathways for continuing education after elementary school, available scholarships, and strategies for supporting children’s learning at home.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many parents expressing stronger motivation to support their children’s higher education. Additionally, the group collaborated with local police to raise awareness on preventing illegal online lending and gambling.

The program concluded with the Lentera Festival on August 26, 2025. This event gathered students, teachers, parents, and the wider community for a joyful celebration. Each class showcased creative performances, including traditional dances, musical acts, and simple plays.

Reflecting on the program, Davina shared the lessons her team learned, “We had to adjust our teaching modules to the students’ conditions, as some children still struggled with basic reading. From there, we learned to be more flexible, build strong communication with the community, and approach problems from multiple perspectives,” she said.

Group 18 hopes that Mandapajaya’s children will continue to grow with a strong spirit of learning, confidence to ask questions, and an enduring curiosity to explore new knowledge. “We hope the books provided will serve as windows of knowledge that remain open, while teachers and parents grow more confident in guiding education at home. With this spirit of togetherness, we believe education in the village can develop further, equipping Mandapajaya’s students with a strong foundation for the future,” Davina concluded.

Reporter: Chysara Rabani (Mining Engineering, 2022)