Jalani KKN hingga 15 Tahun - Kisah Hidup Kasim Arifin

Summary

The video tells the inspiring story of Kasim Arifin, a university student who dedicated 15 years of his life to improving the lives of the people in Waimital, Maluku, during his community service program. Initially sent for a three-month KKN, he stayed far longer, focusing on agriculture, road construction, and community development. Despite no financial support, Kasim’s selflessness and efforts transformed Waimital into a thriving village. His story, which spanned beyond academic achievement, earned him admiration, awards, and a lasting legacy, including recognition from the government and his community, and continues to inspire generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Muhammad Kasim Arifin, an agricultural student, dedicated 15 years of his life to helping a remote village in Maluku, Indonesia.
• 😀 Kasim initially went to Waimital (formerly known as Gemba) for a three-month KKN (community service) program but ended up staying for much longer due to his commitment to the village's development.
• 😀 Kasim's program, 'Panca Usaha Tani', aimed at improving agricultural practices, including soil management, irrigation, pest control, and farming techniques.
• 😀 The village, inhabited by both local and transmigrant communities, faced several challenges, including poor infrastructure, inadequate irrigation, and limited access to clean water.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, Kasim worked selflessly, without any government funding, to improve the village's infrastructure, agricultural productivity, and the community's spirit of cooperation.
• 😀 Over the years, Kasim and the villagers successfully built roads, opened new farming areas, and created irrigation systems that significantly improved the local economy.
• 😀 Kasim's dedication also extended to education, where he taught agriculture by day and Quranic lessons at night, even establishing a small mosque in the village.
• 😀 The village of Waimital eventually became one of the most advanced in the region, providing up to 60% of the agricultural output in the district.
• 😀 After 15 years, Kasim's disappearance became a topic of concern, and efforts were made to bring him back to finish his degree at IPB (Bogor Agricultural Institute). He eventually returned, despite his initial reluctance to finish his thesis.
• 😀 Kasim was warmly welcomed back at his graduation, where his story inspired many, and he received a special recognition for his extraordinary contributions to society. He continued his work even after graduation and later became a lecturer in Aceh before passing away in 2006.

Q & A

What motivated Kasim Arifin to stay in Waimital for over 15 years?

Kasim Arifin stayed in Waimital for over 15 years because he felt that the work he started during his Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) program was unfinished. He believed that more needed to be done for the community, especially in terms of agricultural development and infrastructure.

What was the primary objective of Kasim's Panca Usaha Tani program?

The primary objective of Kasim's Panca Usaha Tani program was to improve agricultural practices in Waimital. This included selecting superior seeds, improving soil processing, proper fertilization, pest control, and irrigation.

How did Kasim contribute to the community in Waimital besides agriculture?

Besides improving agricultural practices, Kasim contributed to the community by teaching religious studies (mengaji), establishing a local mosque (mushola), and forming a traditional music group to foster unity and cooperation among the villagers.

What was the state of the Waimital community when Kasim arrived in 1964?

When Kasim arrived in 1964, the Waimital community was struggling with poor infrastructure, lack of access to clean water, and limited agricultural resources. Most of the population consisted of transmigrants from Java and local people, facing various hardships.

What was the reaction of Kasim's friends and faculty when they discovered he had stayed in Waimital for 15 years?

Kasim's friends and faculty were surprised and impressed by his dedication. When his disappearance became known, the rector of IPB contacted Kasim to return, but Kasim was hesitant to leave, explaining that he had no interest in completing his degree after so many years of service.

How did Kasim's dedication impact the Waimital village over the years?

Kasim's dedication transformed Waimital into a thriving village, with improved infrastructure, agricultural productivity, and a strong spirit of mutual cooperation. Under his leadership, the village became the most advanced in the region, contributing 60% of the agricultural output of Seram Barat.

Why did Kasim reject an offer to study in the United States in 1982?

Kasim rejected the offer to study in the United States because he believed that agricultural practices in Indonesia were different from those in the U.S., and he felt that his work and knowledge would be more useful in Indonesia, where he was actively working to improve local agriculture.

What recognition did Kasim receive for his work in the community?

Kasim received the Kalpataru Award in 1982 from the Indonesian government for his outstanding contribution to environmental and agricultural development. This prestigious award recognized his long-term dedication to improving his community in Waimital.

What was Kasim's stance on academic degrees and why?

Kasim was not interested in academic degrees or titles. He believed that his work and the positive impact he had made on the community were far more important than earning a formal academic credential.

How did Kasim's story inspire others, and what legacy did he leave behind?

Kasim's story inspired many through his selflessness, dedication, and refusal to follow conventional career paths in pursuit of wealth or fame. His legacy lives on through the improvements he made in Waimital, his impact on the community, and even the street named after him in Maluku. His life demonstrated the power of service and the importance of community-driven development.