More Than Just a Community Service Program: Trisakti Students Brighten Village Roads and Turn Waste into Value
By: Azzakyah Nurani Rahman
(Student ID: 010002300400, Law Study Program, Faculty of Law)
Student community service programs are often synonymous with ceremonial activities that are quickly forgotten. However, the Trisakti University KUM-ITT Desa team demonstrated a different approach in Wangunjaya Village, Ciambar District, Sukabumi Regency.
From July 4 to 13, 2026, a group of 17 students from various faculties arrived with more than just theoretical knowledge.
They engaged directly with residents to address real-world issues, ranging from waste management and a lack of street lighting to accident-prone road sections. Led by Hotton Panjaitan and accompanied by faculty supervisor Ar. Ardilla Jefri Karista, the team implemented various programs tailored to the community’s needs.
One of the most engaging initiatives was education on waste sorting and ecobrick training—transforming plastic waste into useful products. Together with the local youth organization (*Karang Taruna*), the students repurposed used large water jugs into creative trash bins and painted a mural themed around Indonesia’s Independence Day.
Iqram Muzakki Juniastawa, the head of the Wangunjaya Village youth organization, noted that the collaboration had a positive impact.
“The mural and ecobrick programs not only beautified the environment but also raised community awareness that waste can still be put to good use,†he said.
Beyond environmental efforts, the students taught English to *madrasah* (Islamic school) students, trained local youth in video content creation, provided guidance on the economic potential of fisheries and plantations, and mobilized residents for communal neighborhood cleanup activities.
In terms of infrastructure, the community could immediately feel the benefits of their work. Working alongside residents, the students designed a village gateway using SketchUp, installed streetlights in previously dark areas, and set up convex mirrors at sharp bends and steep inclines that had long been considered high-risk spots.
The results were truly tangible.
The English training participants improved to the point where everyone could correctly answer questions on the material following the guidance provided. Meanwhile, residents have now acquired the skills to process plastic waste into ecobricks and recycling bins.The Head of Wangunjaya Village, Ipin Aripin, appreciated the students’ contributions, noting that they provided not only education but also tangible solutions.
“The streetlights and convex mirrors are a great help to the community. The area used to be dark and quite dangerous for road users. Residents are feeling the benefits immediately,†he said.
This Trisakti University Village KUM-ITT program also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of education, environmental management, infrastructure development, and partnerships.
In short, the presence of Trisakti students in Wangunjaya went beyond merely fulfilling academic obligations. They left behind something more significant: practical knowledge, a more organized environment, and facilities that will continue to benefit residents long after the program concludes.