MEDAN, August 2026 – Lecturers and students of the Undergraduate Program in Development Economics of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FEB USU), carried out the 2026 Universitas Sumatera Utara Community Service Program at the Sanggar Anak Sungai Deli Community. The activity, which took place from July to August 2026, integrated educational assistance, literacy strengthening, and community economic empowerment.
The community service program, which carried the theme “Inclusive Economic Empowerment through Human Resource Development Training and Literacy Strengthening for the Sanggar Anak Sungai Deli Community,” reached its peak activity on August 8, 2026, and was attended by 53 participants consisting of children and parents in the Sanggar Anak Sungai Deli community.
As part of the support for the sustainability of the community center's activities, the community service team handed over several learning support facilities, including a bookcase, fans, carpets, reading books, a whiteboard, and equipment for making aromatherapy candles. The team also provided learning equipment packages to children who had participated in approximately one month of mentoring activities with FEB USU students.
The activity was then continued with training on making aromatherapy candles using used cooking oil as the main ingredient for the community, particularly mothers in the Sanggar Anak Sungai Deli community. Through the training, the community was introduced to the utilization of used cooking oil, which had previously been household waste, as a product with practical value and potential economic value.
The community service team provided direct assistance, starting from material processing to the aromatherapy candle-making process. The activity was not only aimed at providing new skills to the community but also at broadening their understanding of opportunities to utilize materials available in the surrounding environment into products that can be independently developed.
Meanwhile, education and literacy strengthening became important parts of the series of community service activities that had been carried out since July 2026. FEB USU students regularly assisted children at Sanggar Anak Sungai Deli through various learning activities, including reading and writing, mathematics, English, poetry, and Quranic studies.
The mentoring was conducted directly by adjusting the learning methods to the abilities and conditions of the children. In addition to delivering learning materials, the students also built interactions and a learning atmosphere that were closer to the children's daily lives, allowing the learning process to take place comfortably and enjoyably.
The community service team was led by Prof. Dr. Lic.rer.reg. Sirojuzilam Hasyim, SE, with members Dr. M. Syafii, SE., M.Si., Dewi Ratna Sari Simatupang, SE., M.Si., and Yola Anggia, SE., M.Ec. The team also involved students of the Undergraduate Program in Development Economics of FEB USU, namely Rifael Damanik, Esqi Ahsanj Nisa, Farahdiba Azzahra, Sarah Natali, and Riza Alfauzan Lubis.
Through this series of activities, FEB USU sought to make a tangible contribution to the community by strengthening access to education, improving literacy, and developing skills that can support the community's economic independence. The support for learning facilities is also expected to help sustain educational activities at Sanggar Anak Sungai Deli after the community service program has been completed.
This activity is in line with FEB USU's commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through learning assistance and literacy strengthening for children. The aspect of community empowerment through skills development and economic potential also contributes to SDG 1: No Poverty, particularly in encouraging increased community capacity to independently develop economic opportunities.
In addition, the involvement of lecturers, students, and the community in a series of activities reflects a spirit of collaboration that supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Synergy between higher education institutions and the community is an important part of creating empowerment programs that are not only oriented toward the implementation of activities but also toward the sustainability of their benefits for the community.
Through this community service activity, FEB USU continues to encourage the role of higher education institutions not only as centers of education and knowledge development but also as institutions that provide direct benefits to the community through education, literacy strengthening, and sustainable economic empowerment.