Dozens of Children Study the Environmental Crisis at the Semeru Literacy Festival (FLS)

University of Muhammadiyah Surabaya (UMSurabaya) held the Semeru Literacy Festival (FLS) and invited dozens of children living in emergency shelters on the slopes of Mount Semeru, Sumber Mujur Village, Candipuro District, Lumajang Regency, to attend the Alam Raya School, Wednesday (3/23/2022).

FLS 2022 Project Director, Radius Setiyawan said, Sekolah Alam Raya is a collaboration between UM Surabaya and local Semeru residents who have long had the concept of a natural school.

"UM Surabaya is here to provide a new concept after being involved several times in the field of education in handling victims of the Semeru eruption. This time, UM Surabaya invites students who usually attend formal schools to attend nature schools," he said.

In this Alam Raya School activity, they get a series of knowledge about the environmental crisis through story telling, getting to know environmental viruses, drawing in nature with the theme of natural inspiration to planting vegetables.

It is known, in this activity the instructors involved UMSurabaya Disaster Response Students (Matana).

"Students who take part in this activity are also refugees living in emergency evacuation tents. The hope is that they will understand more theoretically and practically," he said.

Radius added, this activity was part of UMSurabaya's 38th Anniversary celebration which made Semeru an icon and center of activity.

Apart from the Alam Raya School, a series of activities were also carried out, such as a virtual orchid exhibition, health checks to a photography competition.

This literacy agenda is an advanced campus program in Semeru. It has been recorded since the disaster in Semeru, UM Surabaya has been actively involved in disaster management, both psychosocial, educational, health and other agendas.

"Through this festival we want to further increase our concern for Semeru and emphasize that Semeru is an important part of Indonesia," he said.

Meanwhile, a grade 6 student at Sumber Mujur Elementary School, Rafael Maulana Ibra, admits that he prefers activities in nature, because they are different from learning in class.

"If you're bored in class, it's good outside like this," he said.