Students from the Social Welfare Study Program (IKS), UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, participated in an industrial visit to SOS Children’s Villages Semarang as part of the Social Service Systems course for the Class B Cohort of 2024. The visit was designed to enrich students’ understanding of how social services are organized and delivered within a professional social welfare institution.

The group departed from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta at 6:00 a.m. by bus and arrived at the SOS Children’s Villages Semarang complex in Banyumanik District at approximately 9:00 a.m. Upon arrival, the participants were warmly welcomed by the organization’s management team and introduced to the day’s program.

The visit formed part of a course taught by Siti Solechah, M.Si. Also accompanying the students was Muhammad Izzul Haq, Ph.D., Head of the Social Welfare Study Program, who joined the field-learning activities throughout the visit.

During the opening session, representatives of SOS Children’s Villages Semarang presented an overview of the organization, its historical development, and its key programs. Participants learned that SOS Children’s Villages Semarang was established in 1985 and officially inaugurated on January 31, 1985, by Indonesia’s then Minister of Social Affairs, Mrs. Nani Soedarsono.

The presentation provided students with insights into the organization’s social service approach. In addition to its family-based alternative care program, SOS Children’s Villages operates a Family Strengthening Program (FSP) that focuses on three core dimensions: improving access to basic services, strengthening child caregiving and parenting practices, and enhancing household economic resilience.

The organization also outlined various forms of support provided to beneficiary families, including stunting prevention initiatives, nutritional assistance, educational support, computer skills training for adolescents, youth entrepreneurship development, small-business mentoring, and Sport for Development (S4D) programs.

Beyond discussing service delivery, the presenters explained how the organization sustains its operations through diverse fundraising mechanisms. These include donations from individuals and communities, government support, corporate partnerships through CSR and Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programs, sponsorships, face-to-face fundraising campaigns, sport charity events, and the utilization of organizational assets.

Students were also introduced to the current profile of SOS Children’s Villages Semarang. The institution presently serves 74 active children residing in eight family houses, two youth houses, and one semi-independent living house. Since its establishment, the organization has provided care and support services to 476 children.

Following the presentation, the program continued with an interactive discussion and question-and-answer session facilitated by Mr. Alfons and Ms. Rita, both social workers at SOS Children’s Villages. Students used the opportunity to explore issues related to social service systems, family-based care models, strategies for empowering vulnerable families, and the challenges faced by social welfare organizations in contemporary practice.

The visit then proceeded with a guided tour of the SOS Children’s Villages Semarang campus, which spans approximately 3.4 hectares. During the tour, students observed firsthand the facilities designed to support child care and development, including family homes, youth development areas, educational facilities, and a social environment intentionally structured to resemble a nurturing family and community setting.

Through this experience, students gained not only theoretical knowledge but also practical insights into how concepts such as social service delivery, family strengthening, child protection, and community empowerment are translated into institutional practice.

The program concluded with the presentation of a commemorative gift from the Social Welfare Study Program of UIN Sunan Kalijaga to SOS Children’s Villages Semarang. The token of appreciation was presented by Anggita Chairunnisa, Coordinator of the Social Service Systems Class B course, followed by a group photograph symbolizing the strengthening of collaboration and learning networks between academia and professional social service institutions.

According to Muhammad Izzul Haq, Ph.D., Head of the Social Welfare Study Program, industrial visits such as this play a crucial role in helping students understand the realities of social work practice and social service delivery systems.

“Through this visit, students not only learn about social service concepts in the classroom, but also witness how the values of social work are translated into tangible programs of family strengthening, child protection, and community empowerment,” he said.

The visit is expected to strengthen students’ professional competencies as future social workers and social welfare practitioners who are capable of bridging academic theory with the realities of social service practice in society.