UI Introduces Sundanese-Language Snakes and Ladders for Health Education Innovation

Universitas Indonesia (UI) has introduced a cultural-based educational innovation for clean and healthy living through a Sundanese-language snakes and ladders game as part of a community service programme titled ‘Empowering Children’s Health Literacy in Indigenous Community’. The programme took place on 12–13 June 2026 in Parakanceuri Village, Kiarapedes District, Purwakarta Regency, West Java, and involved international students from nine countries collaborating with the local indigenous community to improve children’s health literacy. Professor Enie Novieastari, Head of the Ethno-Nursing and Cultural Care Research Cluster at UI’s Faculty of Nursing, explained that each square on the game board contains health messages delivered in Sundanese, allowing children to learn through a language familiar to their daily lives. She stated that using culturally-based media is part of the ethno-nursing and cultural care approach developed by the faculty, as health messages are more effective and easily accepted when conveyed through enjoyable media close to the community’s life. The Sundanese-language snakes and ladders game serves as a way to integrate health promotion with the preservation of local culture, while international students also learn that culture is an important part of providing health services and education. The activity reflects the faculty’s commitment to developing humanistic, inclusive, and globally-minded nursing education through culture-based community service. The collaboration between academics, students, international students, and the indigenous community demonstrates that preserving local culture can be an effective medium for improving health literacy while strengthening cross-cultural learning. One of the international students from Bangladesh, Md Sajib Raihan, shared his impression, describing the experience as authentic, educational, and full of novelty. He added that besides teaching, activities such as catching fish in the local pond, sharing delicious traditional food, and immersing in the rich Sundanese culture through its history, dances, songs, and traditional instruments made him feel at home.