Journal of Community Service and Empowerment
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): August

International Collaborative Character-Building Program for Empowering At-Risk Youth in Aceh Besar

Juliana Juliana (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akademi Keperawatan Kesdam Iskandar Muda Banda Aceh, Jalan Mayjen T. Hamzah Bendahara, Lr. Bahagia, Kec. Kuta Alam, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23127, Indonesia)
Cut Rahmiati (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akademi Keperawatan Kesdam Iskandar Muda Banda Aceh, Jalan Mayjen T. Hamzah Bendahara, Lr. Bahagia, Kec. Kuta Alam, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23127, Indonesia)
Lisa Fitriani (Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jl. Teungku Tanoh Abee, Kopelma Darussalam, Kec. Syiah Kuala, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23111, Indonesia)
Risqina Putri (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akademi Keperawatan Kesdam Iskandar Muda Banda Aceh, Jalan Mayjen T. Hamzah Bendahara, Lr. Bahagia, Kec. Kuta Alam, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23127, Indonesia)
Popi Lya Destari (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akademi Keperawatan Kesdam Iskandar Muda Banda Aceh, Jalan Mayjen T. Hamzah Bendahara, Lr. Bahagia, Kec. Kuta Alam, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23127, Indonesia)
Afrilia Fazrina (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akademi Keperawatan Kesdam Iskandar Muda Banda Aceh, Jalan Mayjen T. Hamzah Bendahara, Lr. Bahagia, Kec. Kuta Alam, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23127, Indonesia)
Afni Yan Syah (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akademi Keperawatan Kesdam Iskandar Muda Banda Aceh, Jalan Mayjen T. Hamzah Bendahara, Lr. Bahagia, Kec. Kuta Alam, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23127, Indonesia)
Riska Amalia (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akademi Keperawatan Kesdam Iskandar Muda Banda Aceh, Jalan Mayjen T. Hamzah Bendahara, Lr. Bahagia, Kec. Kuta Alam, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23127, Indonesia)
Sanisah Saidi (Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia)
Che Azunie Che Abdullah (Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia)
Siti Nur Illiani Jaafar (Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia)
Suhana Binti Muhamad (Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia)
Siti Hajar Binti Mohamed Zain (Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2026

Abstract

At-risk youth living in orphanages face a critical need for structured psychosocial support and character development opportunities, as they often experience limited access to positive role models, low self-confidence, and restricted environments for developing moral and social competencies. Addressing this need is essential to support their psychosocial wellbeing and prepare them for future social integration. This community service program aimed to develop and implement an international collaborative character-building initiative designed to enhance self-confidence, moral awareness, resilience, and motivation among orphanage youth participants. The program was conducted at Rumah Seujahtera Aneuk Nanggroe (RSAN), Aceh Besar, involving 50 youth participants, through collaboration between Indonesian and Malaysian nursing institutions. Using a participatory and empowerment-based approach, the program included motivational sessions, character education workshops, and interactive group activities focusing on integrity, resilience, moral values, and self-efficacy. Data was collected through structured observation, participant reflections, and feedback to assess engagement and perceived outcomes. The results indicated observable improvements in participants’ confidence, willingness to express ideas, engagement in discussions, and awareness of moral and social values. These outcomes highlight the importance of providing structured, participatory, and supportive learning environments for vulnerable youth. The international collaboration also contributed to cross-cultural knowledge exchange and strengthened academic partnerships. This program demonstrates that an empowerment-based, internationally collaborative approach can serve as a relevant and contextually responsive strategy to address psychosocial and character development needs among at-risk youth in institutional care settings.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

jcse

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences Other

Description

This journal publishes articles on community service and empowerment results that are problem-solving, comprehensive, meaningful, and sustainable, with clear goals. Various community service and empowerment activities must have novelty (have innovation and creativity), so that they do not just ...