Written by: Denissa Almyra Putri
“Miss, will the Community Reading Centre open this afternoon?”
This innocent question flows from the lips of Toen, an elementary school student from Long Loreh Village, South Malinau, North Kalimantan. His eyes sparkle with hope as he gazes at Melis, a literacy advocate at the Rumah Upit Community Reading Centre (Taman Bacaan Masyarakat, TBM). The name derives from the Dayak Kenya Lepo’ Ke language, meaning “bird house.” Like birds that fly freely, this Community Reading Centre becomes a place where village children can freely spread their literacy wings.
Melis’s heart stirs upon hearing that question. Previously, Toen preferred staring at his device screen to play online games rather than opening books. Now, he eagerly awaits the Community Reading Garden’s opening. Toen’s favorite book is “Topi Jena” (Jena Hat)—a story developed by Malinau District Education Office, Litara Foundation, and INOVASI, an Australia-Indonesia partnership program for basic education—which tells about a child who loses his grandfather and wears a jena hat, a traditional Dayak Kenyah hat worn as a sign of mourning. Through this story, Toen not only learns to read but also understands his ancestral cultural values.
Beyond serving as a reading space, the Community Reading Centre provides a familiar environment for children often left at home by parents who work as shifting cultivators, frequently moving work locations far from settlements and even into forests. Surrounded by a warm and supportive literacy community, children in Malinau grow into young people with high reading interests. Often, these children invite their friends to participate in Community Reading Centre activities.
In a small corner of Putat Village, North Malinau, lives a girl named Meilin. Like most children her age, Meilin preferred playing or accompanying her parents to the fields rather than reading books. However, gradually, the Vahu Singkai Community Reading Centre arrived and transformed Meilin’s routine. Initially hesitant, the little girl began joining other children. Day by day, she became more enthusiastic about coming to the Community Reading Garden, actively answering questions from the literacy advocates, and eventually became one of the most diligent attendees. As appreciation, Meilin received a school stationery set as a gift.
Transformations like those experienced by Meilin and Toen don’t happen overnight. Behind it all are figures like Yeyen at the Cerdas Ceria Community Reading Garden, Kuala Lapang Village, West Malinau. Mr. Yeyen began his literacy journey from a small reading Centre at a church member’s house. Together with other mothers, he became a volunteer and continued learning through various training programs, including read-aloud training.
The hard work of Yeyen and other advocates paid off. Cerdas Ceria Community Reading Centre received recognition and support from the village. “I’ve learned many new things through the training sessions. But the most rewarding part is interacting directly with bright and cheerful children.” Yeyen recalled.
(© Archive of TBM Cerdas Ceria)
Small Revolution with Great Meaning
In Celebration of National Children’s Day, themed this year as “Great Children, Strong Indonesia Towards 2045 Indonesia’s Golden Vision”– stories like these remind us that true celebration isn’t just about momentary festivities. Children in Malinau serve as living proof that literacy can be a powerful foundation for shaping character and building a brighter future aligned with the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045 and the development of quality human resources.
Toen’s transformation from a child who enjoyed playing online games to one who eagerly awaits the Community Reading Garden’s opening, or Meilin’s change from a shy child to one of the most diligent—this represents a small revolution with great meaning. When a child in a remote village begins to love books, understand cultural values through stories, and dream bigger through reading, that’s where the true essence of National Children’s Day is realised.
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The complete series of Malinau’s literacy journey will soon be available in Malinau Community Reading Centre book to be launched by INOVASI. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories about children and community transformation through literacy.