Library Initiative Launch Of Education Revolution

Mangrove Reading CornerYoung students flock to the Mangrove Reading Corner community library since it’s launch in 2012. Photo courtesy of Arya Y Dwicandra
Years of commitment to improving Kampong Atas Air has made the neighborhood of Margasari the movers and shakers of the mission. Kampong Atas Air of Margasari is a coastal region to the coastal north of Balikpapan in East Kalimantan. This settlement lies above sea level (from which it got its name “Atas Air”) and although now it has been transformed into a semi-commercial district, Kampong Atas Air still maintains the traditional floating village style with towering stilted houses made of Kalimantan’s signature timber, ironwood. Situated just 800 meters from Balikpapan refinery plants, this buffer zone community is addressing issues in education concerns among the
In late 2012, Kampong Atas Air launched a community development program which led to the restoration of neglected building and transformed the Mangrove Reading Corner community library. When neighborhood chief, Shinta Merina Adi, joined the initiative in 2012 Kampong Atas Air Margasari was considered a region with low education levels, according to a socioeconomic survey conducted by PKPU, a human interest group in Balikpapan.
“Through our demographic findings, the size and structures of younger population in Margasari are larger than the older groups. Nevertheless, the educational attainment level among the predominant population is slightly low,” said Yenni Kartika Sari, a program coordinator at Mangrove Reading Corner.
Education development doesn’t come without infrastructure. One of Margasari’s major problem is a lack of public facilities to support education needs. Extending across neighborhoods and several primary schools, the region of Kampong Atas Air has high demand for better educational access. “Libraries used to be hard to found here,” Shinta said, explaining that some old existing libraries has been closed indefinitely because of severe infrastructure problems. She added that the availability of Internet kiosks hasn’t contributed much in terms of enhancing education: “Internet kiosks are pricy, and most kids only play games there.”
Mangrove Reading Corner was devised as a nonformal education (NFE) initiative to ensure access to basic education since a high proportion of children in Margasari do not have access to libraries. Shinta, together with Yenni and M. Ardhani from PKPU began making a plan to transform an old neglected building into a community library.
Upon finishing the work plan, they found out that the provision of new facilities would require both stakeholders participation and adequate funding. During the first library revitalization in 2012, Mangrove Reading Corner was supported by organization Yayasan Jendela Dunia which donated books and other supplies.
The next step was to complete the building renovation and gather other library necessities. “In 2013, we incorporated this project with Balikpapan Smart Reader, a community engagement program being developed by Pertamina aimed to increase reading interest among students in Balikpapan,” Ardhani explained. Later that year, Mangrove Reading Corner was given donation including personal computers, Wi-Fi access, books, desks, tables and extracurricular facilities like Rebana instruments. Balikpapan Smart Reader also sponsored the second phase of renovations which covered the significant improvement to the interior, roof repairs and an exterior makeover.The ribbon cutting for the renovated building took place in July 2014, when residents of Margasari — along with Balikpapan Smart Reader committee members — got the first look at the new building.
In Mangrove Reading Corner, coordinators have developed a board of young ambassadors, consisting of 10 passionate volunteers. One of them is Bebi Shintia. “It’s astonishing to see how these ambassadors, both the students from SMPN4, local Madrasahs and non-schooled children, actually approached us to enroll,” Shinta said. Bebi and the other ambassadors were trained in library management.
Yenni further assured that the programs at Mangrove Reading Corner are set with “edutainment” appeal. Regular programs at Mangrove Reading Corner consist of monthly craft workshops, biweekly mentoring and Rebana practice. They have also held occasional competitions including poetry reading and cooking competition for the mothers. “The idea is to introduce Mangrove Reading Corner as a friendly space for the kids and family to spend time together,” said Yenni.
Balikpapan Smart Reader is a city-wide campaign incorporating all levels of government, businesses and the community in order to sustain a “visionary library.” In the long run, Mangrove Reading Corner is expected to serve people of Margasari as a place to absorb the community’s aspirations. “But most importantly, today it serves as a learning space for Bebi and the children,” Ardhani said, hoping that ahead of them the road for betterment will only narrow into a bright path.
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Source: The Jakarta Globe