By: Iqbal F. Hanif

There was something different at the Hati Kudus School in Jelambar, West Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/10). Even though the school bell had been rung many times, the students did not move from the front yard of the school. Apparently, they were captivated by Panda Mobile, an educational truck owned by WWF-Indonesia, which was parked there. The students were curious to know what was inside the Panda Mobile.

That day, WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile team educated students at Sekolah Hati Kudus about conservation work for animals and the environment in which they live. Afterwards, the kindergarten and elementary school students from grade 1 to grade 3 enjoyed a storytelling activity presented by Kak Ryan. With his engaging and entertaining storytelling style, hundreds of children were mesmerized by his story.

In another place, students from grade 4 to grade 6 were invited to play while learning through observation games guided by Kak Ipul and friends. paving blocks, overgrown soil, hanging trees, and cement floors. In addition to observing the objects on the media (ants, trees, garbage, etc.), the four media had water poured over them. After that, students who had been divided into groups were asked to observe the difference in the water poured on the four media; there was water that soaked completely, soaked partially, fell, or stagnated. At the end of the activity, students drew conclusions from the activity, namely about the right way to treat the environment around them.

Students were also given the opportunity to explore the Panda Mobile. Around 500 kindergarten and elementary school students entered the six-wheeled truck in turn. They then watched an educational movie about the environment, accompanied by older volunteers.

Suwandi, Vice Principal of Sekolah Hati Kudus Jelambar, West Jakarta, expressed his appreciation for Panda Mobile's visit. "This activity is very good for the education of our students. My suggestion is that this activity can continue." Suwandi also added that WWF-Indonesia's environmental education program is in line with his school's spirit to help preserve the environment. Sekolah Hati Kudus has tried to reduce the use of Styrofoam in the school area. In the future, the school will have its own waste management system.

The Panda Mobile team hopes that the spirit of the Sacred Heart School can be transmitted to other educational institutions that Panda Mobile has the opportunity to visit.