FIB Unhas – Students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Hasanuddin (FIB Unhas) conducted community service through the Bina Desa (Village Development) program on Tuesday (30/9). These students are members of the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Student Body (BEM KMFIB) Unhas for the 2024–2025 period. They invited residents of Kalenna Bontongape Village, Takalar Regency, to build a culture of family and digital literacy from an early age.
Carrying the theme “Socialization of Family Literacy and Children’s Digital Literacy in Realizing a Smart Village,” the activity took place at the Parambambe Cultural Pen Community Reading Park (Taman Baca)—an alternative learning space that serves as a center for resident activities.
In this program, BEM KMFIB administrators invited mothers to realize the importance of the family’s role as the first school for children. Through casual discussions, they covered simple things like reading with children, chronicling daily experiences, and ways to train critical thinking from a young age.
“Family literacy is the main foundation. If a child is accustomed to reading and discussing at home, they will be better prepared to face learning challenges outside,” said Nurul Annisa Septidinia, the Committee Chair.
Not only for parents, children were also invited to participate in a digital literacy session. In this session, the students guided them to understand how to use social media wisely, sort correct information, and recognize the dangers of excessive gadget use.
Interestingly, several elementary school students who joined the activity were able to express their views on national issues, including the death of the late Affan—a public figure who has recently been in the spotlight. This proves that even village children are highly exposed to the digital world.
Seeing the residents’ enthusiasm, the activity was warmly welcomed by various parties. The Head of Kalenna Bontongape Village appreciated the students’ initiative. He assessed that activities like this provide a tangible positive impact.
“Our children live in a fast-paced information era. This activity helps them be wiser in using technology,” said Nisa, who is also the Chair of BEM KMFIB Unhas.
Support also came from the Takalar Regency Library and Archives Office, which viewed this Bina Desa activity as aligned with the village literacy program. The existence of the Parambambe Reading Park was also mentioned as an important partner in building reading habits among residents.
The program closed with a joint reading session between students, residents, and village children. The hope is that activities like this can continue and become the beginning of a broader literacy movement.
“This isn’t about coming once and being done. We want literacy to become a living culture in the village—starting from home, then growing to school and the community,” said Faiz, one of the BEM KMFIB Unhas administrators.
