In Indonesia, character education is increasingly recognized as a fundamental aspect in education. One of the aspects in character education is leadership. Learning how to lead, persuade, and be responsible especially for teenagers will build their leadership skills. Therefore, several YSU students namely Nur Maladewi and Aurora Agasi (Educational Management Study Program), Wildan Isnaini Yahya (Educational Psychology and Counseling Guidance Study Program) and Sutrisno (Non-formal Education Study Program) held a leading character program for orphanage children in Mafaza orphanage, Warungboto, Umbulharjo, to enhance the character education.

The committee chief, Nur Maladewi, said that orpahanage is potential for leading character program due to their age. The program will be quite a help them in college or work. “It also helps them to be confident leaders,” she said.

Aurora Agasi said that the program consisted of four parts that is Leading Character Seminar, Leading Character Games, Trip to Keraton, and Leading Character Camp. “The seminar introduces Leading Character Program as well as opens the series of event,” she said.

The program presented several competent speakers of leadership and leading character. Prior to this, pre-test was held to measure the children leading character understanding. After the seminar, the participants of the program joined Leading Character Games, Trip to Kraton and Leading Character Camp.

The program was closed by the Leading Character Camp which is hoped to teach the children to be independent. It consisted of leadership materials, outbond activity and physical exercises with local police officers,” said Wildan. (Dedy)