PSTW Jara Mara Pati serves as a shelter for underprivileged and abandoned elderly individuals. The happiness and well-being of the elderly residents are closely tied to the activities conducted within the social center. Unfortunately, a lack of stimulating activities at the facility often leads to diminished happiness and a decrease in the enthusiasm for life among the elderly.
“Wreda Harmony,” a team from the Student Creativity Program in Community Service (PKM-PM) at Undiksha, under the guidance of their supervisor, I Putu Pasek Suryawan, S.Pd., M.Pd., has taken the initiative to create a program centered on bamboo angklung music. This program aims to promote togetherness and enhance life expectancy for the elderly, under the project title: “Wreda Harmony: Gendingan Integrated Bamboo Angklung Creation Center to Foster Togetherness and Life Expectancy of the Elderly at PSTW Jara Mara Pati.”
The program runs from May 2024 through July 2024, culminating in a performance. Regular bamboo angklung training sessions provide the elderly with a renewed sense of purpose and vitality. This program goes beyond just providing musical instruments; it also incorporates traditional gendingan, offering a platform for the elderly to express themselves creatively. This special initiative allows them to showcase their talents, fostering more than just musical skills; it enhances their sense of togetherness, happiness, confidence, self-expression, memory training, and cultural preservation.
The implementation of this program consists of 3 sub-programs: Wreda Ready, Wreda Practice, and Wreda Show. Wreda Ready involves the socialization and introduction of bamboo angklung and gendingan. Wreda Practice focuses on coaching, mentoring, training, and synchronization of the music. Wreda Show is the culmination of the program, featuring the integrated bamboo angklung creation center performance. Moreover, this includes the selection and training of mentors who will ensure the continuity of the program. The project concludes with an evaluation phase, consisting of both process and outcome evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the initiative.