The FISIP-FIB Berbakti Desa activities of Universitas Brawijaya (FBD UB) continue to be carried out. One of them is by group 54 in Tulungrejo Village, Donomulyo District, Malang Regency.
There are several work programs carried out such as Cleanliness and Health Socialization. Then the distribution of trash bins in Tulungrejo Village, the Hand Washing Movement at SDN 2 Tulungrejo, a clean class competition and decorating organic and inorganic trash bins and finally carrying out activities together with students with special needs at the Pelita Qolbu Special Needs School (SLB).
The activities carried out are developing self-development of SLB students with the aim of training the independence of SLB Pelita Qolbu students. Some of the things that are done are folding clothes using used cardboard.
“In addition to developing self-development, this activity can also train the skills of students at Pelita Qolbu Special School. With the existence of Pelita Qolbu Special School, it can provide an opportunity for us to take part in helping to develop self-development of students at SLB. One of the easy-to-follow materials is how to fold clothes using used cardboard,” said Argyanto as the Village Coordinator of FBD UB group 54.
About Pelita Qolbu Special School
Pelita Qolbu Special School (SLB) was founded by a resident of Tulungrejo Village named Mrs. Siti Lianah and her husband on January 10, 2015. Initially, teaching and learning activities were carried out at the residence of the head of Pelita Qolbu Faizami Foundation, Ilyas Ngamiludin.
The establishment of Pelita Qolbu Special School (SLB) was motivated by personal experiences felt by Siti Lianah. The establishment of SLB also increased public understanding about schools intended for children with physical and mental disabilities.
“This school was able to stand because I myself happened to have a child with special needs, so that’s where I initially founded this SLB,” she said.
The location of the teaching and learning activities of the Pelita Qolbu SLB in 2015 was carried out at the house owned by the head of the foundation. Teaching and learning activities were carried out in each room with different levels from kindergarten to high school. For several years, Siti and her husband continued to make efforts to be able to continue running the Pelita Qolbu Special School (SLB) by seeking donations from the Village Government. Until in 2019 Siti was able to buy land in the name of the foundation and it continues to operate to this day.
“Alhamdulillah in 2019 we were able to buy empty land near our house, so that it could be reported to the government, we couldn’t build a school building in our personal name. So when we bought this land, we named it in the name of the foundation. Now we have received support from the government and have also received BOS funds,” said Siti as the founder and Principal of the Pelita Qolbu Special School (SLB).
SLB Pelita Qolbu accommodates students from 4 sub-districts, including Bantur, Pagak, Donomulyo, and Kalipare.
“I used to be the one who directly invited the parents to send their children to school. The average age is already adults, so the parents feel no need to send their children to school. I personally feel apologize, because they have to be helped by their parents. For simple things like bathing and changing clothes, they are helped. So I try to convey it directly, especially to the parents. So that they are willing to send their children to school and hopefully it can help them to be more independent,” said Siti.
The learning method taught at SLB Pelita Qolbu is a combination system. SLB Pelita Qolbu applies the SLB curriculum from the government, self-development learning, and skills learning.
Skills learning is the most frequently used learning method, because the purpose of this skills learning is to help students to be more independent in all their activities.
This year, SLB Pelita Qolbu has a total of 39 students, most of whom have intellectual disabilities and there are 6 teachers. Each teacher teaches 5 to 6 students from each level of education. Teachers at the Pelita Qolbu Special School (SLB) do not go through a selection process but are local residents who have completed their Bachelor’s degree and are still related to Mrs. Siti.
“We never open teacher vacancies, we just happen to know each other and before teaching were studying for a Bachelor’s degree. I try to offer with the main condition being patience and a willingness to teach wholeheartedly. Because our school does not have any fees at all such as tuition fees, so the salary we give is very sufficient,” Mrs. Siti. [UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
