International Volunteering for Better Inclusivity: Peace & Justice

3rd – 13th July 2018

Jakarta & West Java, Indonesia

Submission Date
31st August 2018

Prepared For
International Student Centre (ISC),
University of Malaya (UM)

Prepared By
Muhammad Syukri Bin Abd Rahman
KEK140024
Faculty of Engineering
1.0 Introduction
International Volunteering for Better Inclusivity or simply known as INVENT 2018 is a
programme hosted by three universities in Indonesia which are Universitas Indonesia (UI),
Universitas Katolik Parahyangan (UNPAR) and Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala (WM)
with “Peace & Justice” served as the theme of the programme.
The programme aims to solve the discrimination and isolation faced by certain communities in
Indonesia by providing short-term and long-term solution towards these communities. The
communities are the people of Cireundeu Village in Cimahi, Bandung and the people of Johar
Baru in Jakarta.

2.0 Objectives
• To provide long term solution(s) that could increase awareness on the
discrimination faced by the Cireundeu people by innovating local products from the
village.
• To provide short term solution(s) that could improve the faulty perception of the
village whilst in a way help to improve the economy and the lifestyle of the people
in Johar Baru area.

3.0 Experience Sharing

3.1 Lectures
As the programme aims to solve several issues in certain communities in Indonesia, we were
firstly needed to understand and exposed to several basic knowledge regarding Indonesia.
Hence, this led lectures and discussions related to Indonesian demography and ways of life
along with basic Indonesian language class by the academicians from UI.
Consequently, to ensure we are able to achieve effective solutions and exposure through our
volunteering programme, we are then coached by the experts in Indonesia on methods and
ways of analysing the issue before these solutions are presented to related governmental bodies.
Attached below are the lectures that were addressed to us by respective experts to help upskill
ourselves and prepare us before the days of our field studies:
Course Lecturer
Cultural Diversity and Protection of Indigenous Nila Ayu Utami
Communities in Indonesia
The Multifaceted Indonesian Society: The Challenges Prof. Dr. Paulus Wirutomo
Media Engagement for Social Awareness Finsensius Yuli Purnama
Social Entrepreneurship: Multidisciplinary Approach Dr. Imam Budidarmawan Prasodjo
Socioentrepreneurship Case in Cireundeu Area Fiona Ekaristi Putri

3.2 Cireundeu Village

On the fourth day, we moved from UI to UNPAR by bus for briefing and to start preparing for
our first case study in Cireundeu Village, Cimahi, Bandung the next day. This village whom
was subjected to isolation and discrimination by the surrounding communities including the
previous Cimahi government were all due to their belief that was not a part of Indonesian six
official religions. However, this community is now opening their doors for improvement and
acceptance.
Since before the independence of Indonesia, the village has made rice from cassava to replace
the usage of paddy rice in their diets due to a time of paddy rice shortage in the past.
Consequently, up until today, this diet has become a prominent part of their lifestyle which in
a way becoming the symbol of uniqueness of this community along with the unique shadow
puppets that were made solely from the cassava leaves.

The programme whom was led by Elivas Simatupang, Head of Research and Development of
BAPPEDA of Cimahi Municipality, invited all the participants from INVENT 2018 to deduce
several solutions that can raise awareness and acceptance from the outsiders towards the
village. These solutions were sectionalized into several categories such as main product
(cassava), side products, arts and cultures.

I was placed under a group that focused on side products where we need to produced two
products that are not made from cassava but are from something that is readily-available in the
village. It is with great honour to say that both of our group products along with one product
from other group were identified by the Cimahi government for their potentialities and will be
brought further into research and development to determine the feasibility of products toward
the village before they are manufactured by the village.
3.3 Johar Baru
Johar Baru is an area located strategically inside Central Jakarta region that is known for its
frequent brawling and fighting. These unwanted incidents are usually caused by the gang
members aged between 12 to 25 living in the area and had unfortunately led to stereotypes that
further harden the well-beings of the inhabitants, e.g. when finding a job etc. These stereotypes
had caused some of the people of Johar Baru to “lose hope” in trying to get education and job
which unfortunately often perceived as a sign of laziness.

Through INVENT 2018, we are encouraged to assess the situation and present our short-term
solution to Madam Nila Ayu Utami for further consideration. The assessment which took about
two days is integrated with another on-going activity, bridges painting. The bridges, along with
other infrastructures in Johar Baru, are painted as part of initiative to “cheer-up” the area as
among ways to attract visitors and tourists whilst act as an approach to encourage positivity
towards the communities, physically and psychologically.

Conclusively, once all the assessments were complete and presented, the ideas focused on
building a community centre where the people of Johar Baru can freely express their talents
while gaining new set of skills are deemed to be the best solutions and are brought further for
extensive considerations.
3.4 Final Day
The last day of INVENT ends with presentation and discussion in front of Ministry of Social
Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia officers in Jakarta where all the best solutions from both
Cireundeu and Johar Baru were compiled and presented.
Afterward, all of us were brought to National Monument (MONAS) as a recreational trip where
we were briefly addressed on the histories and origins of Indonesia.

3.5 Reflection
To join this kind of programme again would an offer very hard to resist. Not only it helped to
change the lives it intended to change but also in a way, the lives whom participated in this
programme. Getting that hands-on experience in solving real life problem does help to enhance
the way you see the world, the good and the bad, critically.
This programme was unlike any programme I previously joined before due to many reasons
which the first and foremost would be diversity. I could not have stressed this enough but like
the famous saying goes “diversity is strength”, we are indeed a strong team due this particular
factor. Our diversity which is at times so distinct towards each other that we were able to create
solutions that are impactful within a short period of time when they are converged under the
same goal and virtue.
Furthermore, due to the same reason, I was able to “upgrade” my understanding of the world
and gained so many valuable insights that could help turn any of my future decisions to be
more effective and potentially sustainable for a long time to come.
Overall, the program had a well-organized schedule despite of their time-restraining activities.
I am very much glad to have a great teammate that helped inspire each other including myself
in figuring out great ideas for every solution needed in each case. However, I was actually were
really hoping that the given time was to be longer as we were able to produce such great ideas
despite of the short time, just imagine if the time given was any longer.
4.0 Financial Planning
This programme is partially sponsored by University of Malaya on the flight cost whilst fully
funded by the organizer on anything related to the program excluding the expense in the free
time. Furthermore, all of the spending and purchase made that are unrelated to this program
such as dinner and souvenirs are all made through my own saving without any assistance from
scholarship or sponsorship.
However, it is significant to note that if this programme was not sponsored, having to join this
would still be a worthy experience and an invaluable incentive to personal development and
self-growth. Thus, if this is something that might be happening in the future, it is best to recruit
and acknowledge these participating students regarding these matter months in advanced to
ensure that they are fully prepared and well-planned when it comes to facing the potentially
strict budget.

5.0 Program Outcome

After joining this programme, I could see much improvement on the way I understand the
world and whilst gaining so many valuable insights that could help convert any outcome of my
future decision into something that is more effective and potentially sustainable for a long time
to come.
Furthermore, through discussions during the lectures, I was able to submerge myself into
critical thoughts that which I hope the skill stays for as long as I need especially during working
life that is about to start really soon.
I really recommend this programme or any related programme to people that are interested to
improve not only their soft skills but also other skills that are necessary to sustain and success
upon facing hardships in the upcoming real world.
A programme like INVENT should last for a long time and should also be implemented by
University of Malaya as a means to improve the quality of life of the local communities whilst
inspiring youngsters towards the betterment of the future.

6.0 Contacts
Below is the contact of person-in-charge in respective universities:
University Name of person-in- Contact number
charge
University of Malaya Mr. Adi Yusran +60379677712
Universitas Indonesia Ms. Frida +6281519913500
Universitas Katolik Parahyangan Ms. Chris Stephany +6281320435248
Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya Ms. Erlyn Erawan +6282223339843
7.0 Background & Details
Name Muhammad Syukri Bin Abd Rahman
Course Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical)
Matric number KEK140024
NRIC 940131-14-6019
Contact number +60142363445
Email syukriabdrahman@yahoo.com
Year of study Fourth year, graduating in October 2018