EN-ID Blog
For most teenagers, volunteering may not be the first choice for spending their free time. However, for 17-year-old Denzel Setiawan, a high school student, his experience as a volunteer became a turning point that opened the way to a sustainable, innovative project.
It all began when Denzel joined a project to build decent homes with his mother, who was part of the Thunderbird Alumni community. At that time, he was involved in a volunteering activity with Habitat for Humanity Indonesia in Mauk, Tangerang. Seeing firsthand the impact of decent homes for underprivileged families made Denzel start thinking about how he could do more.
From this experience, Denzel joined Habitat Young Star, a movement that encourages young people to actively participate in social activities. Here, he found a space to channel his concerns, not only through his efforts but also through ideas and innovation.
Denzel’s First Step
Denzel’s interest in environmental issues and technology led him to an unusual idea: to make building materials from shell waste. The idea came to him when he wrote a paper about converting carbon dioxide into renewable energy during his 11th grade. Inspired by the abundance of shell waste in coastal areas, especially in Mauk, Denzel began designing an environmentally friendly mortar project.
Bringing this idea to life wasn’t easy. He had to dedicate time outside of school to discuss with academics from the University of Indonesia, conduct tests, and formulate the right material mix. The biggest challenge came from the lack of references and methodologies to use as a guideline.
Currently, the shell waste mortar project is still in the development phase. Although it is not yet ready for widespread use, Denzel remains optimistic that with continuous improvements, the outcome could become an alternative building material that is eco-friendlier and more sustainable.
Lessons from Volunteering
For Denzel, volunteering is not just about giving help; it’s also about learning and growing. Through his involvement with Habitat Indonesia, he gained many new experiences—from leading teams and interacting with communities to designing solutions based on real needs in the field.
He believes the most important thing in social activities is commitment. He realized that meaningful contributions can only be made when someone is truly ready to show up and fully engage in the process.
“If you’re ready and have the time, do it with all your heart. But if you can’t commit yet, it’s better to wait. Because when we get involved, we bring hope to others,” he said.
Read also: Habitat Young Star: Kirana’s Story Brings Youthful Spirit to the Segar Hati Project
Small Steps, Big Impact
Through his project, Denzel hopes to encourage young people to start with simple things. He believes that big changes always start with small steps. According to him, everyone can contribute according to their interests and expertise.
Denzel himself chose a path close to his love for the environment. He hopes that more young people will see the potential of things often overlooked and turn them into solutions that benefit society.
Denzel’s story is an example that youth is not an obstacle to creating change. With strong ideas, a spirit of learning, and care for others, young people can actively contribute to building a better future for communities and the environment.
About Habitat Young Star
Habitat Young Star is a movement initiated by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia to invite young generations to be agents of change—not only in building homes and beautifying public spaces but also in creating solutions that have an impact on the environment.
Through real actions such as building decent homes, educating people on the importance of living healthily and cleanly, and innovative, sustainable solutions like waste management into eco-friendly materials, young volunteers show that care for communities and the earth can go hand in hand. Want to be part of this positive movement? Visit: www.habitatindonesia.org/become-volunteer
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