Every individual should have compassion for one another, which in turn can provide many benefits such as solving societal problems. In addition, mutual compassion will also elevate the sense of togetherness.
How about mutual social compassion at the university student level?
We can see a good example of a group of students who care about others in Korps Tenaga Sukarela/ the Volunteer Corps (Korgala) of Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar).
Korgala is a Unit Kegiatan Mahasiswa / Student Activity Unit (UKM) that was formed for the purpose of nurturing social solidarity, a sense of familiarity, and the spirit of humanity as well as utilizing its members’ skills for the surrounding society. This UKM which has a humanitarian mission and totally voluntary was formed in November 1, 1994 often held positive events related to mutual compassion.
Up to now, Korgala Unpar has been actively participating in community service activities.. on September 26, 2016, Korgala along with the Lembaga Kepresidenan Mahasiswa/ Student Council President as well as the Industrial Engineering Student association visited and distributed aid directly to the victims of a major flood that hit Garut, West Java. The aid was given to citizens of RT 01/ RW 02, Kelurahan Sukakarya (village), Tarogong Kidul Sub-district.
Another disaster relief activity that has been held was the opening of disaster relief post during the Major flood that hit Baleendah and Dayeuh Kolot Sub-Districts, Bandung Regency. At that time they also distributed the aid directly to the field.
Korgala Unpar also opened another disaster relief post for the landslide that hit Banjarnegara regency in 2014 in addition to trauma healing counseling for children as victims of landslide.
Disaster relief activities are consistently held by Korgala Unpar to relive the suffering of disaster victims as well as elevating society’s awareness, especially among those in Unpar society. During the eruption of Mount Kelud in Kediri in 2014, the Korgala Unpar team also delivered and distributed directly to the evacuation location in Kediri.
Annual Program
Other than disaster relief activities, Korgala Unpar also has annual programs such as the joint blood donor program and Korgala Peduli Sesama (KPS).
KPS is a form of community service conducted by this UKM for the surrounding community. In 2015, Korgala Unpar conducted a play together activity with children occupants of Rumah Cinta/House of Love, a stopover house for cancer survivors. The year before that, Korgala Unpar had built a playground activity for Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini/Early Childhood Education (PAUD) Kenangan Mekar.
In addition, there is also a campaign that was started in December 2015, the Korgala Concerns for HIV/AIDS Campaign: Be Friends with ODHA, not HIV/AIDS was conducted in conjunction with the Lembaga Kepresidenan Mahasiswa/Student Council President (LKM) Unpar. The campaign was also followed by the distribution of bracelets with I Protect, and I Care” writing and also pin distribution.
Korgala Unpar has established close relation with multiple parties in its activities. Among them are Palang Merah Indonesia Jawa Barat/the West Java chapter of Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Wanadri, Lions Club greater Bandung area, Rumah Cemara, Rumah Cinta, BPBD Jawa Barat and other organizations.
Nonetheless, Korgala Unpar still feels that most students still lack the awareness to help one another. This sense has to be rejuvenated because compassion is an inherent human value that is highly under-utilized.
Therefore, Korgala Unpar exists as a mean of implementing the value as well as elevating people’s awareness of its importance.
Source: Kompas- Griya Ilmu (Tuesday, October 4, 2016)
