Mataram, University of Mataram – Dhimas Alhady Kurniawan Soewondo, a student of the International Relations Study Program at the University of Mataram (Unram), has shown extraordinary commitment in a humanitarian project that focuses on overcoming early marriage in villages with a strong traditional culture. Through his participation in the Independent Learning- Independent Campus (MBKM) program, Dhimas and his team seek to educate the community about the negative impacts of early marriage, as well as raise awareness of the importance of education and health.

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Dhimas explained that his motivation for participating in this project was a form of unrest and concern for the phenomenon of child marriage. “We want to provide knowledge about the impact of early marriage, both in terms of health, education, and finance,” said Dhimas.

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As part of the team, Dhimas is responsible for creative media, designing various activities to attract the attention of children and the community. One of the creative activities carried out was training on recycling plastic cup waste, where children were invited to make handicrafts from the material. In addition to providing training, the team also socialized the dangers of early marriage.

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The biggest challenge Dhimas and the team faced was dividing their time between the project and academic obligations, especially since they were in their final semester focusing on their thesis.

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“The long distance from where we live is also a challenge. We had to prepare everything carefully to fit the timeline,” he said.

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One of Dhimas’ most memorable experiences was when they picked up and sorted plastic cups from trash bins and around the village. “We had to work hard, even staying up late to clean the cups. However, the hospitality and warm welcome of the villagers made all our efforts worth it,” he recalls.

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Dhimas also noted a significant change in his outlook on humanitarian issues after being directly involved in the project. “Being directly involved in the field gave me a much deeper understanding than just learning about the issue in class. Humanitarian issues are very close to the community, and students have an important role in finding solutions and building innovations,” he said.

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For other Unram students, Dhimas suggested that they join the MBKM program. “This program is very useful for character development and understanding social conditions. In addition, it can also provide 20 credits conversion which can help raise GPA. However, what is more important is the experience and understanding gained which will be highly useful in future careers,” Dhimas concluded.

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With their dedication and efforts, Dhimas and his team provide a real example of how direct involvement in humanitarian activities can bring positive changes to society and provide valuable experience for students.