Inspirational! FKIP UNS Alumnus Successfully Breaks MURI Record for Literacy Entrepreneurs

FKIP – Alumnus of the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program (PBSI) Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta class 2011 managed to break 4 Indonesian Record Museums (MURI) in literacy and education, and channeled empowerment funds with a total of 2.6 billion through the literacy business he developed, Nyalanesia. Not only that, but he also represented Indonesia in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Young Socialpreneurs, Top 10 Hyundai Startup Challenges, and 1st Winner National Business Model Competition. He is Lenang Manggala.

Nyalanesia itself is a social enterprise-based company that develops integrated school literacy programs. Nyalanesia was developed to facilitate students and teachers to publish books, obtain competency training and certification, and improve achievement and the economy.

With the support of integrated technology and the implementation of various literacy and community development activities with the breath of a sharing economy, Nyalanesia has succeeded in creating the largest literacy ecosystem in Indonesia. Over the past five years, Nyalanesia has succeeded in helping more than 350,000 students and teachers in 34 provinces of Indonesia to study, create, and publish books together.

When contacted by the fkip.uns.ac.id team on Sunday (4/24/2022), Lenang revealed that his interest in entering the world of literacy entrepreneurship was motivated by his love and awareness as a PBSI student to develop a literacy culture and quality education.

“Departing from my study program, the love and awareness to help develop a literacy culture and the quality of education finally emerged. I see the key to success and meaning in a human’s life is to work. Like Nadiem Makarim, Najwa Shihab, Steve Jobs, to Einstein, his life was successful and meaningful thanks to his works. Therefore, I developed Nyalanesia to help students and teachers to learn and work at the same time, “said Lenang.

At the same time, Lenang tells of his ups and downs as an entrepreneur in the literacy field. He explained that the problems he encountered in entrepreneurship could be overcome by practicing creativity and innovation.

“Born from a very simple family in the countryside, where my parents worked as construction workers, at the beginning of my pioneering I did not have capital. But fortunately, with creativity and innovation, I was able to find various solutions without spending money. In addition, sometimes when I was in a position of financial difficulty, God gave me help and miracles. Starting from winning a competition to being lucky to win a lottery from the bank,” explained Lenang.

Furthermore, Lenang explained that as an entrepreneur, problems are partners that make him grow and be stronger than before.

“Obstacles and problems are not a bad thing. This actually makes us grow and be stronger than before. Being an entrepreneur must be familiar with problems because, in fact, an entrepreneur is someone who is committed to solving customer problems,” added Lenang.

At the end of the interview, he left a message that the most important thing in life is to work to benefit others

“Being an entrepreneur or not is not really a problem, the most important thing is that we work to provide benefits to others. However, if you want to go directly to solving community problems broadly and straightforwardly, becoming an entrepreneur or official is the right choice,” said Lenang.