Education on ethics and healthy lifestyle should be taught as early as possible in order to ensure that each child can have a better life quality as they grow up. Mental health is as important as physical health and therefore, the high number of ethical and moral issues as well as students’ lacking knowledge on healthy lifestyle should be a concern for parents, teachers, government, and also the public.

When we are talking about health, the children in Indonesia are very prone to it as they have been exposed to the danger of cigarettes since a very young age. This is highly correlated with the lack of awareness and example from parents and society in regards to healthy lifestyle. This affects the life and health quality as well as the future of these children, especially because of the smoking issue.

Referring to the data from Statistics Indonesia or BPS in 2018, it was stated that consumption of cigarettes among people with low socioeconomic status are in the third place after rice and food. This data indicates that children’s education and nutritional fulfilment are still not prioritized over cigarettes. (source: https://databoks.katadata.co.id/)

In order to help schools organize ethics and healthy lifestyle education programs, the Community Development Department of UPH held “Heart to Serve”, a coaching program that facilitates students to learn ethics and healthy lifestyle. This program was held in Sekolah Dasar Negeri (SDN) Batok 1 in Batok Village, Cilejet, Bogor, on February 8, 2020.

The coaching was done during school hours, from 08.00 to 11.30, and was followed by 150 students from 1st grade to 6th grade students. Aside from students, the teachers and the school’s headmaster were also present at the event. A total of 13 volunteers which consisted of students of various majors in UPH were directly involved in activities and counseling sessions. The information given was centered around the danger of smoking for health, and the importance of good ethics and morals in daily life.

The coaching was adjusted to the student’s categories. 1st to 3rrd grade students will be given ‘Moral and Ethics’ education through storytelling and creative activities such as creating a heart-shaped mosaic. Whereas for 4th to 6th grade students, they will be taught about Healthy Lifestyle and The Danger of Smoking’ through science experiments and games which will enhance their enthusiasm in following each session, and to make it easier for them to remember each information given.

This program involves 13 student volunteers from various majors, 30 committees and 3 staff members of the Student Life Department. These volunteers have been equipped with special training for story telling by Manna Proxia Theater, a student activity unit in UPH that is engaged in theater-related activities.
Hopefully, this program can be carried on by the school so that it may have more impact and enhance students’ knowledge and awareness about healthy lifestyle. Whereas for the volunteers, hopefully this program will increase their awareness towards the environment.