MAKASSAR — Embodying the core values of the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi—the three pillars of Indonesian higher education encompassing education, research, and community service—the Legal Protection of Children’s Rights Research Group (LCPR-RG) has taken a transformative step beyond university walls. Recently, the group spearheaded a comprehensive community engagement program in the Fisherman Village of Untia, Makassar. The Legal Protection of Children’s Rights Research Group (LCPR-RG) carries out community service programs focused on children mental health and strengthening the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) based on plastic waste processing in the Fisherman Village of Untia, Makassar.
To maximize the program’s impact, LCPR-RG partnered with the local eco-conscious brand Rappo Indonesia and the prominent crowdfunding platform Kitabisa.com. This dynamic collaboration goes far beyond basic waste management. It aims not only to teach coastal residents how to effectively upcycle plastic waste into commercially valuable products but also to serve as a living showcase of how a grassroots environmental movement can organically evolve into a highly successful social enterprise. This sociopreneurship model has proven to be remarkably effective. By turning discarded plastics into a steady revenue stream, the program has successfully created vital economic opportunities for coastal women. It grants them financial independence and transforms them into key economic drivers within their households and the broader community.
One of the most heartwarming—and psychologically beneficial—aspects of the program is its organic approach to youth engagement. Addressing the initiative’s focus on children’s mental health, the environment is carefully designed to encourage productivity without any form of pressure or coercion. Rather than viewing waste processing as a burdensome chore, the coastal children joyfully assist their mothers in a play-based setting. They have fun engaging with the sanitized recycled materials, a process that functions as a creative and therapeutic outlet. This shared activity strengthens familial bonds, boosts cognitive development, and fosters a profound sense of accomplishment. Together, mothers and children transform everyday environmental hazards into unique, highly marketable items such as fashionable bags, stylish wallets, colorful keychains, durable laptop sleeves, and an array of intricate accessories.
The power of this inclusive approach was vividly displayed during a recent hands-on collaborative workshop. The vibrant event brought together 17 participants, Mr. Afif Muhni, S.H., M.H. representing the university lecturers and students, who worked alongside approximately 20 women and children from the Untia coastal village. The dynamic was fully interactive, with academics taking the time to play with the local youth while getting deeply involved in the practical upcycling process.
Interestingly, a beautiful and empowering role reversal took place during the event. Breaking traditional academic boundaries, the women and children of the Untia fishing village confidently stepped up as expert instructors. They skillfully guided the university participants through the meticulous step-by-step process of turning raw plastic waste into a finished, high-quality product. The academics learned firsthand how to sort various complex types of discarded plastics and craft them into uniquely shaped, valuable goods like woven wallets, highlighting the invaluable local knowledge of the community.
Ultimately, this holistic community engagement initiative by LCPR-RG underscores a strong, measurable commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By improving local plastic waste management and transforming discarded materials into commercial products, the program effectively boosts the local economy through the MSME sector. This direct financial uplift actively contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by providing coastal fishing families with sustainable alternative incomes and better food security. Furthermore, the initiative acts as a catalyst for broader social change. It directly champions SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting a cleaner, hazard-free coastal environment that supports both physical and mental health. Simultaneously, the program acts as a powerful driver for SDG 5 (Gender Equality). By placing coastal women at the forefront of this green economy, they are empowered not just as artisans, but as capable leaders guiding their community toward a sustainable and prosperous future.
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