Mobile library as a child's best friend

An ancient proverb says that a book is the window to the world, but interest in reading for Indonesian people is still low. Based on UNESCO data in 2015, reading interest in Indonesia is only 1000:21, meaning that of 1000 people only 21 regularly read books.

To help change this, WV Indonesia (WVI) provides a mobile library to children in some areas in Jakarta. The mobile library is called “Mobil Sahabat Anak” (Children’s Best Friend). Dirman is the driver and he has been working at WVI for 8 years driving the mobile library to areas such as Cawang, Jatinegara, Cilincing, and Penjaringan.

He drives the mobile library with determination to small alleys, opens the library for children, prepares the chairs and accompanies the children while they are reading, even helping them to read.

“I remember when there was a five-year-old boy in Cilincing who could not read, so I accompanied and taught him to read until he was literate. Now he is in 3rd grade,” Dirman said proudly.

Sometimes he must be strict as well as a supervisor when there is fighting among the children.

On a bright day in Penjaringan area, as soon as Dirman parked the mobile library, there were two children who immediately came over. The first one was Alif, 6, who became immersed in his book. He was not bothered by the surrounding environment or chatty children. Soleh, 39, Alif’s father, said that Alif is an avid reader. His parents always buy him used books to read, so he has many books at home.

Later Vita, a 9-year-old in 3rd grade, arrived. She loves to read and since her school starts at noon, she visited the mobile library before school. She loves reading books which have a lot of pictures and will read it out loud to help her understand.

Reading is important for children at this young age since it will help them recognize vocabulary and emotion. The children used to play in the streets during their free time, but now with the mobile library they do not have to go far to read. Here, going to the library is a trigger that helps children want to learn more.

~Written by Mardea Mumpuni and Gloria Kezia Loupatty, Communication Department, WV Indonesia