Public Health Students at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta Hold an Open Donation and Visit to the Rumah Lentera Foundation

Students who are members of the Study Club of the Public Health study program at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta have carried out social activities in the form of Open Donations and Visits to the Rumah Lentera Foundation. This activity is part of a work program which aims to help children suffering from HIV/AIDS (ADHA) in Surakarta. Through this activity, students want to show their concern for the health and welfare issues of children in need. This Open Donation activity is a collection of social assistance aimed at ADHA children at the Rumah Lentera Foundation, Surakarta. The aid collected will be distributed in the form of basic necessities and snacks. This program begins with fundraising which will take place from 5 December to 31 December 2023. The highlight of this activity is a direct visit to the foundation on 28 January 2024, where students will hand over donations and interact with the children there. The main aim of this activity is to share and provide support to children suffering from HIV/AIDS at the Rumah Lentera Foundation. With this activity, students are expected to be able to better understand the conditions and challenges faced by ADHA children. Apart from that, this activity also aims to increase public awareness of the importance of solidarity and support for HIV/AIDS sufferers. This activity involves students who are members of the Study Club of the Public Health study program at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta. Apart from that, support also came from the general public who participated in collecting donations. Rumah Lentera Foundation, which currently cares for 32 ADHA children, is the recipient of assistance from this activity. Open Donations starts on December 5, 2023 and ends on December 31, 2023. During this period, students raise funds through various channels, including bank transfers and collecting donations directly on campus. The donation handover and visit to the Rumah Lentera Foundation is scheduled for January 28 2024, as the highlight of the activity. Implementation of activities began with a campaign and outreach regarding Open Donations to students and the wider community. Donation collection was carried out intensively for almost a month. The funds collected amounted to Rp. 700,000 was then used to buy basic necessities and snacks. On the day of the visit, students interacted directly with the children at the Rumah Lentera Foundation, handed over aid, and held fun activities to provide joy to the ADHA children. This activity succeeded in collecting donations amounting to Rp. 700,000, which was then distributed in the form of basic necessities and snacks to the Rumah Lentera Foundation. Apart from providing material assistance, this activity also provides moral and emotional support to ADHA children. Direct interaction with students provides new enthusiasm for children and strengthens a sense of social awareness among students. The Open Donation work program and a visit to the Rumah Lentera Foundation by the Public Health Study Club of Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta are clear evidence of students’ concern for public health issues. It is hoped that this activity can be an inspiration for other students to continue to be active in social activities and increase public awareness of the importance of supporting HIV/AIDS sufferers. With activities like this, it is hoped that the quality of life of ADHA children will be better and they can feel attention and affection from the surrounding environment.