Expeditions in the Pandemic Period, Mapala SPECTA Conducts Andalas Expedition to Sumatra

SINAR – Since the implementation of the regulation on the Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) due to the pandemic, the government has limited the surrounding activities contained in the PPKM to control pandemic conditions. For its implementation, PPKM always experiences an extension of time. In the implementation of the Andalas Expedition activity in the Golden Land of Sumatra, precisely in Jambi and West Sumatra Provinces, in order to fulfill the requirements for promotion to become a full member of SPECTA based on the tri dharma of higher education carried out by Nature Lovers Students (MAPALA) SPECTA State Islamic University Raden Mas Said Surakarta. Expeditions in the midst of this Pandemic The expedition team also did not forget to apply the 3M health protocol (Wearing masks, washing hands with soap in running water and maintaining distance) which are important factors to protect themselves.

The Andalas expedition was held on September 29 – October 11, 2021. A departure ceremony was held on September 28, 2021 in front of the SPECTA Mapala wall led by Bilal Syaifullah as the general chairman of SPECTA Mapala.

“This expedition is a process of increasing the level to become a full member of SPECTA. The Andalas expedition was carried out in the provinces of Jambi and West Sumatra, hopefully in accordance with the targets to be achieved, it can run smoothly and safely until it returns to the SPECTA base camp," said Bilal.

The name Andalas is another name from the island of Sumatra which means Andalas. Andalas itself is one of the tree icons on the island of Sumatra. This expedition (Specialization) carries the theme “Traveling the Land of Gold that is Split by the Equator”, which means that the expedition was carried out in Sumatra because it has another name for the island of Gold. It is said to be split by the equator, because the land of Sumatra is an island that is crossed by the equator.

To get to the destination, the 12-member expedition team had to travel about 13 days with a distance of ±1000 km from UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta using land transportation (bus).

In addition to adventure activities, our team also carries out community service in Badeng Rejo Village, Kec. West Bangko, Kab. Merangin, Jambi Province. There are several activities in this service, including: creating a reading garden, distributing masks and hand sanitizers as well as stationery and the Qur'an to support needs in the fields of education and health. (Nughy/ Public Relations Publication).