Klaten, Juli 27 2025 – In a vibrant celebration of community, health, and collaboration, the Student Community Service teams (KKN) from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Yogyakarta (UPNVY) jointly hosted a large-scale Fun Walk event in Sukorini Village, Manisrenggo Sub-district, Klaten Regency. Held in commemoration of National Children’s Day, the event was not just a physical activity—it was a dynamic platform for promoting health awareness, economic empowerment, and cultural appreciation among the village community.
The event brought together over two hundred participants from all nineteen hamlets of Sukorini Village, including children, youth, parents, elderly, and community leaders. It featured a wide range of integrated activities—Fun Walk, free health screenings, children’s stage performances, and a vibrant local MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) exhibition. The energy and enthusiasm of the attendees reflected a shared aspiration to build a healthier, more connected, and more empowered community.
The Sukorini Fun Walk began at 6:30 AM, flagged off at the village field by the organizing committee and attended by village officials, field supervisors, and the local community. The walk symbolized a journey not just through the village’s scenic roads, but also towards a healthier lifestyle and a deeper communal bond.
Following the walk, the crowd gathered around several activity zones. Free health check-ups were offered, including blood pressure measurements and general consultations, delivered by trained personnel and facilitated by both KKN teams. These services aimed to encourage regular health monitoring and early disease prevention—especially vital in rural communities where access to healthcare may be limited.
The children’s stage added vibrant color to the event. Young students from local elementary schools performed dances, songs, and poetry readings. This not only celebrated National Children’s Day but also gave the younger generation an opportunity to shine and participate actively in community-building.
In alignment with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), the event also featured culinary booths and MSME stands showcasing local products such as snacks, beverages, handmade crafts, and agricultural goods. These microbusinesses, run by villagers themselves, were given the opportunity to promote and sell their products to a larger audience.
This economic aspect of the event reflected the dual goal of the program: to encourage a healthy lifestyle and stimulate the village economy through direct community engagement and entrepreneurship.
The event served as a model of inter-university collaboration, demonstrating how student-led community service can make a real, immediate impact when supported by local leadership and inclusive participation. The planning and implementation of the event were conducted jointly by KKN-PPM UGM and KKN-BN UPNVY, with full support from the Village Government of Sukorini.
“We hope this collaboration inspires more meaningful community initiatives that are sustainable and can be replicated or continued independently by the villagers,” said Destina Kawanti, S.Si., M.IP., Head of the Partnership and KKN Program Working Group at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Her statement highlights the core value of community service: to catalyze positive changes that endure beyond the duration of the program.
Field Supervisor of KKN-PPM UGM Manisrenggo, Prof. drh. Aris Junaidi, Ph.D., expressed his optimism: “It is our hope that this Fun Walk contributes to the vision of a healthier, more developed, and self-reliant Sukorini Village. These kinds of events are stepping stones to sustainable rural development.”
This event is more than a one-day celebration—it marks the beginning of a long-term movement towards improving public health, fostering social cohesion, and unlocking local potential in rural communities. The success of the Sukorini Fun Walk has set a precedent for how academic institutions, students, and local communities can co-create impactful programs in line with national development goals and global sustainability targets.
The organizing teams from UGM and UPNVY extend their gratitude to all participants, collaborators, and community leaders for their support and involvement. They invite stakeholders from academia, government, and the private sector to continue investing in grassroots community development through inclusive, health-oriented, and economy-supporting initiatives (Writer: Muhammad Ridwan Adyatama, Photographer: Ahmad Herosa Harsam).
