The Joy of Giving Back

The sound of the waves echoed Inas and her friends as they journeyed to Seraya Maranu Village in late January 2024. Located in the Komodo District of West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. Inas was repeatedly captivated by the tranquil ocean scenery, especially when a line of picturesque hills came into clear view.

“It’s so beautiful!” said Inas while patting a friend’s shoulder.

The only way to reach Seraya Maranu Village is by sea. After two hours from Labuan Bajo Port, Inas finally arrived at the village dock. She and her group slowly made their way towards the residential area.

Inas' and her friends arrived at the jetty of Seraya Maranu Village (22/01/2024). personal doc.

“The village is so verdant, and with the charm of traditional stilt houses and a vibrant, diverse community. On both sides, you have crystal-clear seas. And when dusk falls, the sky is absolutely stunning!” reminisced Afny Al Fath Inaszahira, a Psychology student at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), who is more commonly known as Inas.

In her 6th semester, Inas signed up for Expedition Jelajah Anak Negeri (EJAN) Batch 7. She didn’t overthink it; her love for social activities since high school made the decision easy. This same passion led her to choose Psychology as her field of study.

The eldest of two siblings’ memories drifted back to a day in 2021 when he took the UMS new student entrance test.

Hesitant to share her aspirations with her parents, Inas reluctantly registered for Accounting, as her mother suggested. She held onto the hope that something within this exact science would excite her.

“As the semester progressed, I felt more and more certain that this wasn’t what I was looking for!” said the Solo-born woman with a faint smile.

Amidst her uncertainty, Inas mustered the courage to confide in her parents. The daughters of Ahmad Fuad and Neni Yudiana felt a wave of relief when her choice to pursue psychology was approved, particularly with the blessing of her father, who was known for his unwavering principles. It was no surprise, considering her father’s background as a soldier in the Indonesian Army, while her mother was a housewife who also ran a catering business.

Inas grew up with discipline instilled in her by her father. He once told her, “Nduk, if you’ve made a choice that you believe in, you must be ready to take responsibility. No matter how difficult the task, you must complete it.” That powerful statement continues to motivate Inas to stay committed to her choices

Inas doesn’t need grand gestures to repay her parents’ trust. She consistently maintains a good and stable Semester Achievement Index (IPS), demonstrating her dedication and commitment to her studies.

Since pursuing psychology, Inas has also been actively involved in various campus activities, including serving on the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Psychology UMS for two terms. In 2023, she led the Social Community Division, and this year, she holds the position of vice chairperson.

“I truly enjoy Social Psychology courses. I’m so fascinated by them that I want to deepen my understanding of how humans interact and behave,” she told us enthusiastically.

Inas’ curiosity was rewarded when she was entrusted to participate in a faculty service project, specifically the Community Service Program Pengabdian Masyarakat Persyarikatan/AUM/Desa Binaan (P2AD) UMS in Klaten. Under the guidance of her favorite lecturer, Lusi Nuryanti, Ph.D., Inas took on the role of a psychosocial volunteer team member.

Even before joining the P2AD project in Klaten in 2023, Inas had already gained experience in volunteerism. From 2021 to 2023, she actively participated in the Senyum Anak Nusantara (SAN) Solo Chapter, a non-profit organization dedicated to the well-being of underprivileged children.

Inas as a volunteer storyteller at Ganesa Library, Gentan, Sukoharjo. personal doc.

She initially volunteered as a motivator at the reading park located at TPA Al Falah Mojosongo, helping disadvantaged children maintain their enthusiasm for learning. Eventually, she joined the organization’s management and, in her final year, took on the responsibility of general coordinator for SAN Chapter Solo.

Inas experienced a range of activities with her friends in SAN Chapter Solo. They managed reading parks, held Creativity and Education Classes, raised funds and donations for educational needs, and engaged in numerous other positive endeavors. At times, the physical exhaustion was undeniable, she was human, after all. However, the children’s smiles and laughter served as her personal reward, fueling her passion for the work.

“Our target is children who are less fortunate in accessing education, typically those in elementary school,” explained the student who enjoys swimming.

Inas recalled many sweet, unexpected moments with her students in Mojosongo during her time with SAN Chapter Solo. One memory involved two young children, Farah and Aufa, approaching her after a story-reading session. They presented her with a used drinking bottle adorned with a drawing of two people holding hands.

“Kak Rara, this is for you. I drew a picture of us holding hands. I love you so much, Kak Inas," said Farah and Aufa, her beloved students called her Rara.

Even though Inas is no longer part of the organization, she frequently visits her students at the reading park. The reading garden serves as her sanctuary. Spending time with them is a source of rejuvenation and comfort when she feels physically and mentally exhausted.

“Actually, I visit them on purpose,” she explains, “Young children often display amusing behavior. Sometimes, they can be unpleasant, but with patience and gentle guidance, they can understand. If we communicate effectively and set a good example, Insya Allah, they will be receptive to learning. It’s also an opportunity for us to practice our parenting skills,” she smiles.

The experiences of serving others, which seem to be deeply ingrained in Inas' soul, have only strengthened her passion for social psychology. She often feels a sense of inner satisfaction that's difficult to put into words.

Afny Al Fath Inaszahira. Imam Safii/UMS Public Relations

The experiences of serving others, which seem to be deeply ingrained in Inas' soul, have only strengthened her passion for social psychology. She often feels a sense of inner satisfaction that's difficult to put into words.

The SAN Foundation that she joined at that time oversaw two well-known projects: SAN Chapters, which have spread to over 76 cities in Indonesia, and Ekspedisi Jelajah Anak Negeri (EJAN), which launches a new wave each year.

After leaving the SAN Chapter, Inas embarked on EJAN Batch 7 with full funding. She spent 14 days serving alongside her peers in Seraya Maranu Village.

During her time in Seraya Maranu Village, Inas truly learned to understand the local social dynamics. She sought the best ways to assist residents in addressing their various challenges, particularly those related to the health and welfare of children. EJAN Batch 7 was divided into four divisions.

“We support the community. For EJAN, our target is not just the children anymore, but the local community as a whole. As the logistics team, my role is to prepare general necessities such as medicines, land and sea accommodation, and supplies for setting up a reading park,” explained Inas.

In general, the primary programs undertaken by the EJAN Batch 7 team encompassed the establishment of a village reading park, the provision of health counseling and medical check-ups, the implementation of human capital-based learning initiatives, the organization of clean-up campaigns in coastal areas, and the education of the community on leveraging the internet and e-commerce to market their unique village products.

“The most reliable signal there is Telkomsel. We knew this because the EJAN team conducted research before deployment. Several working team members were sent ahead to survey the location," she said.

Most of the local residents were already familiar with the internet, she added, and they used Telkomsel SIM cards. The residents were also involved in integrated discussions to ensure that their challenges and progress could be monitored and mapped effectively.

“Serving is not just an activity, but a calling,” she said sincerely.

In truth, Inas’ journey with EJAN is not yet over. She aspires to sail to Bali with EJAN Batch 8, but it was postponed because of her internship.

“What can I do though? Semester 7 is indeed the time for internship. But I don’t really regret it, because I can still contribute to volunteer engagement, as I’m still part of the EJAN team,” said Inas, who is currently interning at the Boyolali Class IIB Detention Center.

During the volunteer engagement, Inas assisted the expedition team in organizing various needs and preparations for the self-funded volunteers. This included tasks such as open recruitment, material briefings, program support, team division assignments, and post-assignment activities.

Instead of being placed at a reputable  company  by the faculty, Inas got the opportunity to go to the Boyolali IIB Detention Center. It’s a place that some might consider “scary.”

“I wanted to challenge myself, to see what it’s like to understand the human side behind bars,” she thought.

The psychology student actively participated in group counseling sessions at the detention center. She listened to stories filled with wounds and regrets intertwined with hope from individuals seeking redemption for their past mistakes. The counseling sessions were thoughtfully organized based on age groups: adolescents, early adults, older adults, and the elderly.

“There are over 300 inmates, including prisoners. Only 10 of them are women, the rest are men. That’s why the counseling session for the women’s group is held separately,” explained Inas.

According to Inas, undergraduate interns like herself are not yet authorized to conduct individual counseling sessions. That responsibility falls to the master’s interns, who have already attained the title of bachelor. Individual counseling delves into clinical psychology, which focuses on addressing psychological issues, enhancing self-adjustment, and improving self-capacity.

During group counseling sessions, Inas and fellow undergraduate interns organize a series of periodic Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) tailored to each age range. In these discussions, the Interns explore the concerns of detainees and prisoners and then summarize them in journaling sessions.

The journaling session itself is divided into three topics. First, they reflect on the past and what they regret; second, they focus on the present and express gratitude for what they have; and third, they contemplate the future and their hopes and dreams. After grappling with these deep reflections in the journaling session, the detainees and prisoners are offered solutions in the form of counseling or psychoeducation.

“Most teenagers experience anxiety about acceptance,” Inas further explained. “Those who miss their parents, relatives, and friends often feel anxious and afraid. They worry, ‘Will I be accepted back into society, or will I be ostracized?’”

Suddenly, she recalled a touching moment. A middle-aged prisoner approached her, seeking help to open his Facebook account.

With a bit of hesitation, the old man said, “Ma’am, can you please open my Facebook?”

“For what, sir?” Inas inquired.

“There’s a photo of my daughter on my account. I miss her terribly. I haven’t seen her in years. I long to see her beautiful smile,” the father said, his voice filled with longing.

Unfortunately, any action taken within the Boyolali Detention Center must first be approved by the officers. In this case, the elderly man’s request to access Facebook was denied due to security concerns.

Gradually, Inas began to understand that everyone possesses a story worth hearing regardless of their circumstances or social standing.

Inas is grateful that studying psychology has guided her to various acts of kindness. Whether small or grand, kindness is still kindness. It may sound cliché, but what human heart is truly drawn to evil?

“I believe that wherever we are, there’s always an opportunity to do good, even for a starving cat we pass on the street. We can start with the smallest acts of kindness,” she said with conviction as if speaking to herself and anyone who might be inspired by her journey.

Inas, composed by her immaculate experience, is resolute in her commitment to continue spreading kindness wherever she goes. The call of her soul remains a constant presence in her mind, serving as her guiding compass in life.

Writer: Genis Dwi Gustati

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Designer: Salsabila Kamila Wardah