Written by: Fadhila Trifani
On World Storytelling Day, with the theme “Deep Water”, which invites us to dive beneath the surface to discover hidden treasures, we celebrate a journey unfolding in a remote corner of North Kalimantan. In the village of Belawan, located in Malinau Regency, one woman’s dedication is transforming lives – both in the delivery room and in the realm of imagination through storytelling.
Every morning, Belvi serves her community as a midwife at the local health centre, ensuring that expectant mothers receive essential care. But as the afternoon sun softens the day’s heat, Belvi steps into another role – a storyteller whose words bring a world of wonder for the village children. “Many of our children have never learned to read or write,” she explains. “Their parents are often away working in the fields for days, and education hasn’t always been a priority.” These challenges inspired Belvi to act, – turning to the art of storytelling to inspire the young minds of her community.
In 2020, Belvi found the Community Reading Garden, known locally as Taman Bacaan Masyarakat (TBM) Pelita Kanaan, with a vision to create a safe, joyful space where children can learn to read and dream big. Each afternoon, the garden becomes a haven of shared stories, songs, and laughter. Initially, Belvi thought that providing access to books would be enough to spark the children’s interest in reading. However, as she observed that many children struggled to read on their own, she soon realised that something deeper was needed to overcome the literacy gap.
That spark came in the form of storytelling training, a program designed by INOVASI, an Australia-Indonesia partnership in strengthening foundational skills of primary students. Recognising that merely providing books wasn’t enough, INOVASI equipped local literacy volunteers with interactive storytelling techniques. “Before, I’d read straight from the page. Now, I use my voice, my expressions – I even invite the children to join in the story,” Belvi recalls with a proud smile. This shift in approach has helped to transform storytelling from a simple reading exercise into an engaging, multi-sensory experience that brings stories to life.
Another volunteer, Rahmawati, echoes Belvi’s enthusiasm. In the TBM Ileh Taking – “Ileh Taking” means “Rainbow” in the Dayak language – Rahmawati gathers children in a circle each afternoon. With dynamic intonation and vibrant facial expressions, she transports the young listeners on imaginative journeys. “The children love being read to,” she says. “Their curious questions and excited responses make every story a shared adventure.” Through these interactive sessions, the children do not just learn language and vocabulary – they also develop empathy, creativity, and a sense of belonging.
Iqbal Aji Daryono, the writer of “Out of The Truck Box”, facilitated the storytelling training, emphasises that the best stories are those that resonate with local experiences. “In North Kalimantan, floods are part of the everyday life, when stories incorporate elements like floodwaters, the children immediately connect because it’s part of their reality.” This tailored approach transforms storytelling into a bridge – linking familiar experiences with new ideas and possibilities, much like diving into deep water to uncover treasures hidden beneath the surface.
The journey of Belvi, Rahmawati, and their fellow literacy advocates that literacy is about more than just reading words on a page. It’s about creating meaningful, culturally resonant experiences that empower children to explore, imagine, and ultimately, to transform their futures.
Belvi’s story reminds us that even in remote regions, with limited resources and daunting challenges, passion and perseverance can spark change. Her dual role as a midwife and storyteller is a testament to the power of community-led initiatives and the importance of adaptive, locally inspired solutions.
As we celebrate the World Storytelling Day and the art of narrative, let us reflect on the importance of transformative power of stories. Through a single tale, stories help children see the world wider, dream bigger, and believe that they too can be part of life’s big story. Because every child deserves the opportunity to read, understand and dream.