The implementation of the empowerment of Karang Taruna Guyub Rukun RT 02 RW 04 Mangunsari Village, Gunungpati District, Semarang City in the form of recreational literacy has been carried out through fun and creative activities for children in the RT 02 RW 04 Mangunsari neighborhood. This activity aims to foster a love for learning through engaging educational games, supporting the realization of SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing inclusive, equitable, and quality learning opportunities outside formal schooling.
Content literacy activities with Mathematics and Science literacy that have been carried out include Tangram-7 Puzzle games, Tower of Hanoi, Frog Metamorphosis Puzzle, Catch the Goose Game, and Face Puzzle games (featuring various children’s characters). These activities are carried out both individually and in groups or pairs, using a competition-based approach to motivate children to do their best. Through these games, each child has been given the opportunity to achieve the best positions — first, second, or third place — fostering healthy competition and creativity among participants.
This implementation has also made the POS Kamling facility of RT 02 RW 04 Mangunsari Village, Gunungpati District, Semarang City multifunctional. The Community Reading Post (POS Kamling) has been officially designated as the “ARCA” Community Reading Park (TBM) — short for Ayo Rajin Membaca (Let’s Read Diligently). Beyond reading activities, this TBM also serves as a space for physical, recreational, and creative activities for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. The program reflects the spirit of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by transforming local public spaces into inclusive community learning hubs that promote social interaction, learning, and well-being for all residents.
The empowerment of the Guyub Rukun Youth Organization (Karang Taruna Guyub Rukun) in RT 02 RW 04, Mangunsari, Gunungpati, Semarang, was carried out by a community service team chaired by Prof. Dr. Wiyanto, M.Si., with members Prof. Dr. Isti Hidayah, M.Pd., Dr. Sunyoto Eko Nugroho, M.Si., Dr. Budi Naini Mindyarto, M.Pd., and Prof. Dr. Hartono, M.Pd., along with three students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Semarang State University (UNNES). This collaboration demonstrates the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving sustainable development, in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Empowerment of the Guyub Rukun Youth Organization as a target partner has been implemented through a series of socialization, training, mentoring, evaluation, and follow-up activities. The UNNES community service team worked closely with Karang Taruna to help design and implement educational literacy activities for children in the neighborhood. This partnership not only enhances the capacity of youth organizations but also builds sustainable collaboration between universities and local communities.
Strengthening recreational literacy for children in RT 02 RW 04 Mangunsari, Gunungpati, Semarang City, supports the achievement of the SDG 4 target in providing inclusive and quality education for all. The children involved in these literacy activities vary in age from 2 to 10 years, showing that learning can happen inclusively and joyfully across age groups. The atmosphere during the activities was interactive, cooperative, and fun for all participants.
Testimonials from the children revealed their excitement and enjoyment in playing face puzzles, the Tower of Hanoi, and the Catch the Goose game. Many expressed their hope that similar activities would be held again in the coming weeks. As a follow-up, the Guyub Rukun Youth Organization (Karang Taruna Guyub Rukun) has scheduled similar literacy-based activities as part of its ongoing community program.
This activity was also warmly welcomed by the Head of RT 02 RW 04 Mangunsari, PKK Cadre, Dawis, and the wider community, showing strong community participation that strengthens the sustainability of the program. Gratitude is expressed to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) UNNES, which funded this activity through DPA FMIPA UNNES. With collaborative efforts and shared commitment, the entire implementation has run smoothly and successfully — a concrete reflection of SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) working together at the local level.
