For Ines, a 2020 Agricultural Extension and Communication Study Program student, Real Work Lectures (KKN) is a call to contribute to society, especially in Indonesia’s Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost (3T) regions. Therefore, in the KKN-PPM UGM Period 2 2023, Ines chose to carry out service in the Southeast Maluku Regency, especially in the Ohoi Dian Darat area, Hoat Sorbay District.
Ines was inspired by several of her seniors who had also served on Kei Island. The desire to see firsthand the conditions of communities outside Java, as well as the beauty of the white sand beaches on the Kei Islands, was the main trigger for Ines to choose KKN in Southeast Maluku. Moreover, the white sand beach in Kei is known as the beach with the finest white sand on the Asian continent.
The theme raised by the KKN-PPN UGM team at Hoat Sorbay was “Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Government Governance Towards a Sustainable Climate Village that is Energy Independent and Socio-Economic Resilient.” As a student of the Agricultural Extension and Communication Study Program, Ines saw that this theme was very relevant to the focus of her studies. Ines hopes that through this theme, they can have a positive and sustainable impact on increasing community capacity in the region.
In carrying out KKN, Ines and her team faced various challenges, including coordinating the implementation of two major events simultaneously, namely the People’s Party Welcoming Sail to Indonesia 2023 and the Pesona Teluk Sorbay Cultural and Culinary Festival 2023. Even though it was energy-intensive, thanks to the cooperation of the KKN team and support from various parties, both events were successfully carried out well and received high appreciation.
One of the exciting things about Ines’ KKN experience in Ohoi Dian Darat was the diversity of religions in a predominantly Christian community. Ines learned about the importance of mutual respect between religious communities and how these differences make us richer in knowledge and tolerance. Amid this journey, Ines also explored the philosophy of “Ain ni Ain,” which is firmly held by the local community and means “one has another, and vice versa.” Through this KKN experience, Ines made a real contribution to the people of Southeast Maluku and brought home many valuable lessons about caring, cooperation, and the diversity of Indonesian culture.