Healthcare, Homestay, Hills: Our Pharmacy Adventure In Lombok
The Youth Expedition Project Dispense-A-Dream (YEPDAD) is an annual overseas service-learning project organised by the NUS Pharmaceutical Society for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science students to embark on a two-week trip to go beyond their comfort zone. It allows us, students, to learn more about ourselves, explore a different pace of life in the villages while immersing ourselves in the local culture and engage with local communities to better understand healthcare needs and appreciate the diversity and differences in their systems compared to Singapore’s. The project also enables us to contribute through health education, skills-sharing and environmental restoration efforts that hold key significance for the locals.
We’re off to Indonesia!
This year, from 13 to 25 May 2026, a total of 21 Pharmacy undergraduates set off for Lombok, Indonesia, for the first time as part of our service-learning initiative. Before the trip overseas, we had months of rigorous planning in collaboration with Emaan Catalyst Community (ECC), Tahar and his team from IUVASG, members of Sekolah Alam Rinjani (SAR) in Indonesia, and Dr. Cahya Dessy Rahmawati and staff from Rumah Sakit Mata NTB. Additionally, we came together to raise funds and resources through fundraisers throughout the semester to prepare for the expedition.
The next day, the team travelled from Mataram city to Sembalun village, where we were greeted by the villagers’ traditional dance upon arrival. Their warm hospitality made it comfortable for us to settle in despite being in a new environment.
Students being greeted by villagers with a traditional dance.
Part of the trip was to experience the village lifestyle. Over the next few days, the team was exposed to polybagging seedlings at the Sekolah Alam Rinjani headquarters, where we learned that these were the same seedlings that would grow to be transferred and planted on Mount Rinjani. Additionally, we got a chance to pick fresh chicken eggs from a local farm.
The team had a great time at the fields polybagging seedlings for transplantation.
Another part of the experience also included the trek up to Pos II of Mount Rinjani. Most of the guides work as porters to support travellers summiting Mount Rinjani. Even though it was not the peak, it was still no easy feat to reach there. Since Pos II was a popular rest point, most of the water is drawn from the ground to support cooking. With weather changes and growing numbers of adventurers, more trees are required to hold water to last until the next monsoon season.
Porters bringing the students on the trek up to Pos II of Mount Rinjani.
The highlight of the trip was definitely the village homestay experience, where the team stayed with local families. These were simple living conditions compared to our usual city life, but they encapsulated the kampung spirit. From cold showers to random blackouts, it was truly an unforgettable memory for everyone.
An unforgettable homestay experience in the village.
Furthermore, we were lucky to take part in farming and harvesting. The villagers were mainly farmers who cultivated their land for personal sustenance and export as a source of income. This backbreaking manual work humbled us while reminding us to be appreciative of what we have back in Singapore.
Students picking strawberries at the farm.
During the day, the team went to SD2 Sembalun Lawang to engage and teach the primary school children basic oral and hand hygiene practices and head lice control. In the afternoon, we split up across four different kindergartens to impart similar knowledge to the teachers so they would be equipped to teach the young children.
Building on the porters and guides’ prior interest in digital upskilling, the team also shared Canva features with them, which are useful for creating media advertisements to promote their businesses.
The YEP committee seeks to continue this project in the coming years to expand the students’ global perspective and provide an opportunity to serve communities in need. We would like to take this chance to thank our sponsors and everyone who has contributed to the project this year, and we hope you will continue to support subsequent projects!
Article by Ryan Leung – Project Director, YEP Committee (Y3 Pharmacy), Angela Moh – Publicity Member, YEP Committee (Y3 Pharmacy), Loo Hui Ying – Teaching Member, YEP Committee (Y2 Pharmacy) and Nicole Ng – Project Director, YEP Committee (Y2 Pharmacy).
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