Strengthening Social Literacy and Civilizational Values ​​through Education of Out-of-Town Students in the Wera District Association Organization

Abstract

This community service program aims to strengthen social literacy and civilizational values among migrant students through the role of the regional student organization Himpunan Pelajar dan Mahasiswa Wera (HPMW) Mataram. The activity employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, emphasizing students’ active participation in social learning and character development rooted in local wisdom. The implementation process consisted of five stages: problem identification, program design, educational execution and mentoring, value reflection, and program evaluation with sustainability planning. Conducted over five weeks, the program engaged 47 migrant students from various universities in Mataram City, who actively participated in discussions, workshops, and reflective sessions throughout the process. The results revealed a substantial improvement in students’ ability to understand and apply social literacy in their daily interactions. Participants demonstrated increased empathy, collaboration, and awareness of social responsibility as members of both academic and community environments. Furthermore, the program successfully strengthened students’ cultural identity and appreciation of the Wera community’s noble values, such as mutual cooperation, tolerance, and collective responsibility. It also revitalized the organizational function of HPMW through the establishment of a Division of Social and Cultural Literacy as a follow-up initiative. Overall, this community service activity demonstrates that a participatory and value-based educational approach can effectively cultivate a young generation that is socially conscious, culturally grounded, and capable of preserving local civilization values amid the challenges of modernization.