_{By Ina Rahlina, RISE Indonesia Communication and Engagement Specialist}

^{4 November 2023}

RISE Fiji and Indonesia teams recently ran a series of ‘Open Days’ with the informal settlement communities participating in RISE. Taking place on the weekends to engage with residents in their spare time, these Open Days were a chance to connect with our communities beyond the periodic collection of human health and environmental samples.

These incredible days were filled with information sessions, program updates, games, and ‘mobile labs’ bringing our laboratory equipment out to the communities to demystify the journey our samples undertake from their collection, to our labs, and planetary health analysis.

Most importantly, it was a chance for our teams to forge deeper connections with our communities, and express gratitude for their continued support that enables our program’s progress.

RISE Indonesia Communications and Engagement Specialist Ina Rahlina reflects on the transformative power of this dedicated community engagement campaign.

The preparation for the Open Day events began in August, with the field worker team touring locations to discuss activities with the Community Engagement Council (KePoLink) for the RISE Day events.

The Open Days were a true community celebration, where residents of all ages were actively involved. During a typical Open Day weekend, the mobile clinic offered health checks from morning to evening across both days, ensuring everyone had access to essential services. The event featured a range of activities, including colouring and drawing competitions for children, make-up and chair dancing contests for youth and adults, and domino card competitions for men.

One of the highlights was the laboratory tent, which attracted not only children, but also elderly residents. They were curious about BG (mosquito) traps and sound equipment, and the tent was transformed into an educational classroom. Children eagerly asked questions about samples, mosquitoes, and E. coli bacteria. The laboratory team was constantly surrounded by curious children who wanted to observe samples under microscopes and see the idexx (E. coli) readers.

_{Our team phlebotomists conducted free health checks for residents.}

To further engage the community, Chief Investigator of Indonesia Assessment, Ruzka, and Batua Monitoring Lead and Laboratory Technician, Maghfira, affectionately referred to as ‘Teachers Ruzka and Fira’, spent the entire day with enthusiastic children, conducting quizzes about samples. This educational interaction added an extra layer of engagement to the event.

As the days came to a close, the team dismantled our equipment, storing it at a resident's house for the next day. We expressed our gratitude for the warm welcome and active participation of the residents, acknowledging their crucial role in making the event a success.

There were varied levels of citizen participation across locations, and the impressive involvement of men in one particular settlement, challenging stereotypes about community engagement. The laboratory ‘open house’ continues to be a hit with school-age children, reinforcing the importance of hands-on learning experiences.

This is the power of community engagement – where diverse communities come together, share knowledge, and build lasting connections. It shows how RISE's commitment to fostering active participation can leave a positive and lasting impact on both communities and research initiatives.