From Learning to Creating: Waste Management Education Through Building Trash Bins with Pijar Tambak Mayor Children
The fourth week of activities marked the final meeting in the volunteer community service program conducted at Pijar Tambak Mayor Institution, Asemrowo. The activity involved student volunteers, participating children, and mentor facilitators in an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm, collaboration, and togetherness.
The program began with a joint prayer according to each participant's religion and belief as a form of gratitude before starting the learning activities. This was followed by a “Waste Clap” activity and an ice-breaking session designed to build enthusiasm and increase the children's focus before entering the main learning session.
During the first core session, the student volunteers delivered educational material about organic and inorganic waste. The children were introduced to the definitions, characteristics, and examples of each type of waste. Through this activity, they were expected to develop an understanding of the importance of waste segregation from an early age and learn to distinguish between biodegradable waste and non-biodegradable waste.
The program then continued with the main practical activity: building a trash bin. The materials used included wire mesh and wooden boards as the structural framework. Before assembling the trash bin, the children participated in a creative art activity by painting and drawing on the surface of the wire mesh using watercolor paints. All participants actively expressed their creativity through colorful and imaginative designs. After the painting process was completed, the student volunteers and children worked together to assemble the materials into a functional trash bin ready for use.
At the end of the activity, an evaluation and reflection session was conducted. During this session, the children were given the opportunity to share their impressions, feedback, and the lessons they had learned throughout the program. Likewise, the student volunteers expressed their reflections and appreciation for the children's active participation and enthusiasm. The mentor facilitators also provided feedback and evaluations as valuable learning material for everyone involved.
The documentation photograph illustrates the sense of togetherness among the student volunteers, participating children, and mentors at the conclusion of the activity. The photo symbolizes the success of the community service program, which not only provided knowledge about waste management but also fostered creativity, environmental awareness, and stronger relationships between university students and the local community.
The final-week activity was carried out smoothly, interactively, and enjoyably. The children demonstrated high levels of enthusiasm throughout the entire program, particularly during the painting and trash-bin construction sessions. Through this activity, it is hoped that awareness of environmental cleanliness and the importance of proper waste segregation will continue to be practiced in their daily lives.
