The HIMSI UNAIR Community Service (Pengabdian Masyarakat, or PENGMAS) was held on June 22-23, 2024, in Keputran, Surabaya, focusing on children aged 6-12 years who have limited understanding of technology. Scholastica Nakaisha Dewi Puteri, as the Head of Community Service (PENGMAS) 2024, selected this location to target the participants effectively. Kak Sasha’s motivation to lead this activity stems from her passion for community service, which she sees as a way to share knowledge, time, and energy. Additionally, she wanted to pass on the knowledge she gained from her Information Systems major. “God answered my curiosity through HIMSI’s PENGMAS. When there was an opportunity to share something related to my field of study, I felt there was no reason to refuse,” she said enthusiastically.
HIMSI’s PENGMAS 2024 offered two main programs. The first program focused on enhancing children’s critical thinking skills through basic coding logic using the interactive web platform ‘Scratch,’ which allowed them to create stories and animations. The second program introduced the concept of buying and selling through a mini bazaar, where children earned points by playing and could exchange them for snacks. The event involved local residents, who helped with the use of the village hall and participated in the activities, and was supported by the Wepose Surabaya Children’s Care Community in spreading information and coordination. Despite some communication challenges in their first collaboration with the NGO, the teamwork ensured that all issues were resolved.
Kak Sasha invited UNAIR Information Systems students to participate in HIMSI’s Community Service, seeing it as a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, make a positive impact on the community, and experience the joy of seeing the children’s enthusiasm. It is hoped that this event continues to benefit the participants and inspire more students to get involved in the future.
