Ungaran (14/07) – The students of the 2023 Thematic Community Service (KKN-T) of Diponegoro University (Undip) located in Lerep Village, West Ungaran District, Semarang Regency, are ready to help village residents, one of which is by assisting in preparing for a visit by the Governor of Central Java and the team from Pariaman City. For two days, KKN-T Undip students and the community worked together to clean and rearrange the visit site, namely Embung Sibligo, one of the tourist attractions in Lerep Village. On the day of the visit, KKN-T Undip students supported the events of Lerep Village residents, including becoming the Master of Ceremony, managing food stands, and providing a photo booth at the activity location.
In the framework of “Visit & Imitative Study by the Village Heads, Lurah, and Sub-District Heads of Pariaman City, West Sumatra Province,” the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, visited Lerep Village, West Ungaran District, Semarang Regency. The visit to Lerep Village was also attended by the Mayor of Pariaman, Dr. H. Genius Umar, S.Sos, M.Si., Regent of Semarang Regency, Ngesti Nugraha, S.H., M.H., Head of Lerep Village, Sumariyadi, as well as village heads, Lurah, and sub-district heads throughout Pariaman.
The Governor of Central Java’s visit to Lerep Village would likely provide insight or new insights about tourism villages to regional heads in Pariaman City. “I invite you to Lerep Village so that the village heads in Pariaman can exchange ideas and learn from each other,” said Ganjar.
“KKN Undip students assisted the residents’ enthusiasm in preparing for the sudden visit, which was notified only in two days. Everyone works together even though it looks hard initially, but we finish and succeed together. All parties are happy with what we have done,” said Sumariyadi, Head of Lerep Village.
By carrying out this visit and imitative study, it is hoped to raise the potential of Lerep Village. Besides increasing the potential of Lerep Village, this visit is also expected to be able to introduce Lerep Village to the broader community. It can become an example for other villages in Indonesia that want to become a tourism village.
In line with the theme of the Thematic Community Service (KKN-T) conducted by Undip students, namely “Strengthening and Development of Nature-Based Tourism,” the Governor of Central Java’s visit can help Lerep Village strengthen and develop tourism in Lerep Village.
“Departing from a village that is ordinary, arid, and natural resources as they are. We can further explore the potential of Lerep Village, but we still maintain the preservation of nature and can increase income for the community’s welfare. We still need to develop more to create jobs for the local community,” said Sumariyadi, Head of Lerep Village. (Rizky/KKN-T Undip at Lerep Village 2023)