PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - SMPN 1 Garut is a success in the 2024 Month of Philanthropy activities at the Elementary School or Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (SD/MI) level throughout Garut Regency, with the theme "Challenge for Achievement and Performance".

This activity is a selection event for new outstanding students at SD/MI level, which was held at SMPN 1 Garut, Jalan Ahmad Yani, Garut Kota District, Garut Regency, Saturday (24/02/2024)

According to the Chief Executive, Ita Habibie, Philanthropy Month includes various competitions ranging from Science, Social Sciences, Mathematics, PAI Olympiads (MTQ, Tahfidz Juz 30, Calligraphy, PAI Lectures), Story Telling, Speech Contest, Poetry Reading, Picture Storytelling, Solo Singing, Pupuh, to Pantonyms.

The Principal of SMPN 1 Garut, R. Yusup Satria Gautama, appreciated the enthusiasm of the participants which had soared, reaching more than 370 participants from previously only 105 participants.

Support from elementary school teachers in Garut Regency and parents were also the main drivers of the success of this event.

"The enthusiasm was extraordinary, we express our appreciation from the elementary school teachers in Garut Regency and the support from parents, because many parents of students attended," he said.

Yusup was surprised because the event participants were not only from Garut Regency but also from other regions such as Bandung Regency.

According to Yusup, this Month of Philanthropy activity is a motivation for teachers in SD/MI to teach and evaluate the activities of the previous edition of the Month of Philanthropy.

Furthermore, Yusup will hold similar activities and improve the deficiencies in the implementation of this Philanthropy Month.

"So if this national event is O2SN, then with the results of this Philanthropy, hopefully at O2SN in 2024, those students who today can become champions at the district, provincial and even national levels," he hoped.

Meanwhile, one of the contestants from SD Kartika, Areeandra Abigail Putrian Albba, admitted that she was happy to be able to take part in this activity even though she felt anxious.

Abigail also took part in the Sundanese Pupuh competition to enrich the cultural and artistic experience of the participants.

Abigail admitted that she was guided directly by her father, through 3 weeks of preparation.

"When we win, we'll keep practicing and keep participating in the competition. If we don't win, it's okay, as long as we've practiced (and) tried," he said.

In the same place, one of the participating parents, Sona Radian, said that her child took part in the story telling competition, because her child had an interest in English.

Sona sees Philanthropy Month as an important event to stimulate children's abilities, both academic and non-academic and as a talent scouting forum to develop their talents.

"So that it makes it easier, especially for the government, to see good seeds, then we just have to help, encourage and develop the talents they have," he said.

Furthermore, Sona said, a parent's job is to direct the extent of a child's talent.

Sona said that she was only tasked with guiding and directing children according to their interests.

"Incidentally, I am also an alumni. We can also see that there is a lot of interest now. Hopefully in the future there will be even greater interest for various competitions, so that the talents of the children can be seen here," he said.