In commemoration of Kartini Day, UGM KKN students in collaboration with TK ABA Sidoharjo organized an educational activity themed “I Love the Environment: Environmental Introduction thru Nature Exploration and Waste Awareness Education.” This activity was held on Tuesday (April 21, 2026) at Unit 2 TK ABA Sidoharjo, Kapanewon Turi. The activity was attended by kindergarten-aged children wearing sports clothes. This program is designed as an effort to instill environmental awareness from an early age thru fun and interactive learning methods.
The series of activities includes education and socialization on waste management, environmental exploration that instills a healthy lifestyle and love for nature, as well as creative activities such as coloring and sticking environmental-themed posters. Thru this approach, children not only receive theoretical material but also engage in direct practice in the field.
The activity coordinator from UGM Faculty of Forestry KKN students, Alfiyah Najma, stated that this program is a form of implementing Kartini’s struggle values in a contemporary context, especially in the fields of education and the environment. “Through this KKN program, namely nature exploration for kindergarten-aged students, we hope this activity can become a modern manifestation of RA Kartini’s spirit thru education about the importance of preserving the environment, not littering, and disposing of waste according to its type,” she said. She added that early education is very important to shape a sustainable environmental care character. Children are expected not only to understand the concept of cleanliness but also to be able to apply it in their daily lives.
Meanwhile, the Head of ABA Kindergarten Sidoharjo, Maharti, welcomed the collaboration. According to her, activities like this are very relevant in supporting the character education curriculum, especially in instilling values of environmental love, gratitude, and concern for the surrounding nature.
The main goal of this program is to introduce the importance of nature conservation to young children, so that awareness and responsibility toward the environment grow from an early age. With an enjoyable approach, the message conveyed is expected to be more easily understood and remembered by children. This activity serves as proof that the commemoration of Kartini Day is not only understood ceremonially but also thru real actions that have a positive impact on the next generation. Thru early environmental education, it is hoped that a generation will emerge that is not only intelligent but also highly concerned about the preservation of nature.
This activity is an implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 4 – Quality Education (ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all), and Goal 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels).