Report from the Event of Life Story Program:

"The story of the elders is a valuable lesson for us all. Not only for the young but the old too. They are our fighters, the warriors present the best for the nation and state.”

That was among the words from Ismunardi, from the Yogyakarta Special Region Provincial Secondary Education Center, in his remarks at the highlight of the Life Story Program Event, Thursday (18/082017) yesterday in the Hall of SMAN 1 Pajangan, Bantul.

Ismunardi saw stories about simbah not only related to language lessons (Indonesian). But with many other lessons. Especially now the thematic lessons while being developed in the 2013 curriculum. Ismunardi also agreed with the idea of ​​SurveyMETER which held the highlight of the event in the atmosphere of the 72nd Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day. This event is another form of celebrating and filling independence by the younger generation. Namely the effort to respect the generation of predecessors (elderly) who generally witnessed the history of the struggle for independence.

As previously informed, the Life Story Program, which has been carried out by SurveyMETER since December 2016, will be closed with a peak event. The highlight of the event yesterday contained a presentation of the results of the program and an appreciation of the best writing students from 7 participating schools by inviting educational stakeholders in Bantul Regency.

Thus, the simple program on the morning before the afternoon went solemn. The series of events opened with the reading of two stories. First the story of Dyah Syafa, a student at SMPN 3 Pajangan, about Mbah Achmad Bashori, which he wrote. Mbah Bashori who was presented and accompanied Syafa, listened to a story about him that was written and read by Syafa.

"What Syafa said is true. I can sing, sholawat can. If it's August 17 I can sing, entertain, "said Mbah Bashori when asked for comment on Syafa's story. Mbah Bashori was pleased to recite the prayers of praise as told by Syafa.

Likewise, the story of Putri Balqis Dwi Safitri, a student at SMAN 1 Pajangan, about Mbah Samidi, her neighbor. Putri's story, Mbah Samidi (65 years) is a blind person from birth. Within its limitations, Mbah Samidi living independently never troubles anyone else. Although blind, everyday he does not use a stick. He can recognize the people around him by his voice. At a young age he deftly helped people pick coconut and massage for how many years later Mbah Samidi had symptoms of a stroke. But Mbah Samidi was able to recover from his stroke until the last year he was infected with tetanus and healed.

At a young age he deftly helped people pick coconut and massage for how many years later Mbah Samidi had symptoms of a stroke. But Mbah Samidi was able to recover from his stroke until the last year he was infected with tetanus and healed.

After continuing with the introduction from the Principal of SMAN 1 Pajangan, Endah Harjanto, and Ismunardi, SurveyMETER Executive Director, Ni Wayan Suriastini, conveyed the exposure of the program implementation.

Suriastini talked about the background of the activity program. "This program supports the government's program of character education being implemented in 10,000 schools, based on the thought of Ki Hajar Dewantara. This program is also in line with Joko Widodo's administration's enthusiasm, "said Suriastini.

The basis of the program, explained Suriastini, is the Study of the Assessment of Elderly Cities in 14 cities in Indonesia conducted by SurveyMETER and CAS UI in 2013. The results of the study indicate that efforts have not been maximized in realizing aging-friendly cities and communities. Of the 95 indicators in the 8 dimensions of WHO-Friendly Elderly Cities that are used as reference for the study assessment, there is still much to be improved. One indicator that is still red (low score) is found in the Dimensions of Respect and Social Inclusion: "Schools provide opportunities to learn about the elderly and involve the elderly in school activities".

Based on the background of the study results SurveyMETER conducted a Study of Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior of School Children in the Elderly with the intervention of the Life Story Program pilot. Study data were taken at the time before (baseline) and after (endline) program. The program was intended to portray the creativity and service of students aged 10-17 years (elementary, middle, high school / vocational school) as a young generation in respecting the elderly by writing and telling their lives. Students are assigned to visit an elderly person who is not their grandmother or grandfather in 3 visits. They are encouraged to get to know, 'chat' (interact), and spend time together with them so they can write meaningful stories about old age and share the story in their communities. This program was first developed in New Jersey, USA in 2012. The aim is that their elderly knowledge and life experiences can be known and valued and can inspire and enlighten the younger generation.

In the pilot program SurveyMETER involved 7 schools in Pajangan Subdistrict (Kembang Putihan SDN, Iroyudan SDN, Guwosari SDN, Pajangan SMPN 1, Pajangan 3 Public Middle School, Pajangan SMAN 1, and Pajangan SMKN Bantul Regency. Students involved were grade 5 students for elementary school, grade 8 for junior high school, 11 for high school. This program in most schools is integrated with Indonesian language lessons. Before students carry out their fieldwork, the team from SurveyMETER provides a briefing about what they have to do, what they have to write, how to talk with the elderly, and so on. SurveyMETER also cooperates with subject teachers in encouraging and directing them.

The results of the study show that students experience an increase in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in the elderly after following a 10-week life story program. Based on written scores, students who score "high" in writing life stories, experience improved knowledge, attitudes and behavior in the elderly more than those who score "sufficient" or those who are not included in both. It can be concluded that the Life Stories Program is able to improve students' knowledge, attitudes and behavior of students to be better and more positive in the elderly. The results of the program are influenced by the level of effort, seriousness and time devoted by students in writing life stories, gender and also the level of education of elementary, middle or high school students.

In terms of quality, the Life Stories Program is quite successful. It was proven by the enthusiasm of almost all students from all classes representing the school. The writings of elderly life stories collected by all students contain inspirational stories with diverse themes of humanity. Many interesting things that students write; about how old they are in old age, how they lived their lives at a young age, how they lived during colonial times, how they survived, how they spent their time, how they lived in society, and more.

"Considering the benefits of this evidence-based Life Story Program, this program needs to be extended to other schools throughout Indonesia to improve respect and social inclusion of the elderly in the community so that friendly, elderly communities that meet WHO criteria can be created in the community," said Suriastini close the presentation.

After pinning the "Elderly Friendly Community" pin to representatives of 7 school students, the awards ceremony for the best awaited stories arrived. The award recipients were divided into 4 categories of appreciation, namely the best of each school, the best of each school level, the most favorite, and the best general (overall champion). The best appreciation winners for each school were Riska Ramadhani (SDN Kembangputihan), Maulana Ikhwanushofa (SDN Iroyudan), Septi Kumala Minah (SDN Guwosari), Devi Andaresta (SMPN 1 Pajangan), Fauzyah Putri R (SMPN 3 Pajangan), Eva Nurulia (SMAN 1 SDN) Pajangan), and Adhi Pangestu (SMKN Pajangan). The best appreciation winners for each level of school are Noverisa Azzahra Salsabila (Iroyudan Elementary School), Esti Nur Hayati (SMPN 3 Pajangan), and Putri Balqis Dwi Safitri (SMAN 1 Pajangan). The favorite award winner is Diah Syafa (SMPN 3 Display). The winner of the best appreciation is Tri Agustin Wulandari (SMPN 1 Pajangan).

Before the event concluded with the delivery of certificates to 7 schools and enjoying traditional dishes, Tri Agustin Wulandari read his story about Mbah Giem and his younger brother. Wulan talked about the ups and downs of Mbah Giem — who has physical limitations in her legs and never had a husband — and her sister who depends on selling traditional snacks (such as shell batter, gordon, dumplings, and melinjo skin stirfish) utilizing the food ingredients around House. About Mbah Giem who never depends her life from the compassion of people. About Mbah Giem and her sister who could not ride a bicycle so that if they both traveled to the market, to the garden, and touring, they had to walk. About Mbah Giem's ​​sister who sometimes works a masseuse for extra income and many other stories. The story written by Wulan shows that she truly delved into the daily life and joys and sorrows of Mbah Giem. Pengkuan Wulan, if there is spare time not infrequently he also accompanied Mbah Giem to process and sell. (JF)