Undiknas Charity 2025: Fostering Compassion and Social Inclusion with Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation

Gianyar, February 21, 2025 – As part of the 56th anniversary celebration of Bulan Dies Natalis (BUDINATA), Universitas Pendidikan Nasional (Undiknas) once again demonstrated its commitment to creating a positive impact on society through the Undiknas Charity program. This year, Undiknas partnered with the Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation, a social organization focused on empowering people with disabilities, to spread the spirit of compassion and social inclusion.

Located in Tampaksiring Village, Gianyar, Bali, Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation serves as a home for dozens of people with disabilities, guiding them toward self-reliance and empowerment. With its vision, “Building self-confidence within oneself, within families, and within society,” the foundation strives to unlock the potential of its members and develop it so they can live independently and contribute to the community.

In his opening remarks, I Wayan Damai, Chairman of Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation, emphasized that people with disabilities are not a burden to society. “We exist to eliminate the stigma that disabilities are troublesome. They do not need pity or mere material aid, but rather access to education and inclusive public facilities,” he stated.

As a person with disabilities due to polio since childhood, I Wayan Damai has proven that physical limitations do not hinder achievement. He has earned various national and international accolades in sports such as wheelchair basketball, paracycling, and lawn bowls, proudly representing Indonesia in several ASEAN competitions.

The Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation offers a variety of empowerment programs for its members, including:

• Formal Education and Equivalency Programs (Kejar Paket)
• Reading, Language, and Computer Classes
• Arts Training, such as modern dance (taught by volunteers from Canada), vocal classes, and theater
• Agriculture and Entrepreneurship Programs, including vegetable farming, fish farming, local coffee processing, and handicraft making
• Outreach Programs that support people with disabilities in remote villages through donation distribution

Interestingly, all programs are run by volunteers without permanent donors, highlighting a strong commitment to building social solidarity.

The primary goal of the Undiknas Charity program is to strengthen the bond between the academic world and society while encouraging students to care more about social issues, especially the inclusion of people with disabilities.

“Through this program, we aim to instill the understanding that higher education is not only about academic excellence but also about developing empathy and compassion for others,” stated Dr. Drs. I Nyoman Subanda, M.Si., Vice Rector for Partnership and Entrepreneurship and Undiknas’ representative at the event.

The active participation of the academic community and the contributions made during this charity event are expected to provide meaningful support for the sustainability of Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation. This reflects Undiknas’ commitment as a Techno-Researchpreneur University, focusing not only on academic development but also on promoting humanitarian values and social responsibility.

Wayan Sukarmen, Secretary of the Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation, explained that the foundation was established in response to the discrimination often faced by people with disabilities in society. “Many still view disabilities as a burden, even though they have great potential if given equal opportunities,” he stated.

The foundation actively educates the public to eliminate negative stigmas and advocates for the rights of people with disabilities, including access to education and disability-friendly public facilities.

The Undiknas Charity event is not merely about donations; it’s about fostering a spirit of kindness and driving real change within the community. Through this initiative, Undiknas hopes to extend long-term support to Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation and broaden the positive impact on Bali’s disabled community.

The spirit of social inclusion promoted by the foundation aligns with Undiknas’ mission to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in achieving inclusive education and reducing social inequality.

“People with disabilities do not need pity but compassion and opportunities. In the end, they can stand on their own and become part of the solution—not just recipients of aid,” concluded I Wayan Damai.

Through this event, Undiknas reaffirms its commitment to becoming an educational institution that excels not only academically but also socially, upholding values of humanity and sustainability.