Bringing the 'library' to the village

I believe the case what happen to me last year is because many people have lack of education, lack of reading book and lack of knowing other culture and religion. To stop it, we have to let the kids read many books and at, least, let them to think.

The idea bringing books to the village come from that situation. Three years ago, I went to a village and stayed there for two weeks. I found that the kids there had no many activities. They went to school and in the afternoon and night they would recite holly book in the mosque. Nothing is more than that.

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In the center if Banda Aceh, there is a yard where in Sunday morning many people will do exercise in there. There is one organization which bring books and let the kids reading  and close that ‘library’ when not many people in that yard anymore (often at 11 am people already going home). But I do not want to do the same in the city, because the kids in the city are very easy to get access for books. I think, kids in the villages have lack of access to get books.

I want to give the books free. My plan is giving the books and let it put in the mosque. When the kids come for reciting holly book, before starting reading holly book (while waiting for the teacher), the kids can read the books. However, one of friend that I told this idea said “ are you sure you want to give that book free? Don’t you love your book? Those kids are not like us. They do not love books like you. When you leave there, may be they do not care the books and they will tear it”.

By having that comment, I think it is better if I come to the village by bringing the book and let them read it. I will come in the morning and coming back home in the afternoon.

I told that idea to some friends and they enthusiast to help me. We start to collect books from friends but not many books can we collect. However, it just a good start for having some books (we plan asking the province library to donate books).

The first step has started last month (June) on National Children Day. I work with the village leader, asking him to collect the kids in the mosque. When we (4 friend and I) came, we already found the kids in the mosque.

The idea to bring books to the kids and bring it home again is like a trigger for them to ask library to their village leader. Actually, there is an organization who wants to open library in that village. But that organization wants help from the village leader. That organization will provide books and cupboard for the books and the village will provide the room and the staff. I had told it to the village leader. However, there is no information whether the villages will support the library or not, even though the village leader really support it. I think the villages will not believe the idea if they don’t see what the library and reading activities is. 

To persuade the villagers want to open the library, I need to show them how important to let their kids reading and playing (I bought some puzzles as well).   When the villagers think that they need library, the organization who will keen to help to establish library, will come to that village. When it happen, I can move to another village and start the new project of “mini library” as what I have done to this village.

However, doing this project is not easy. That village is 2 hours drive from my city Banda Aceh. In the first time we arrive there, we have to go early in the morning and arrive there around 11.30 am. It was almost lunch time, so we only have little time before breaking. After lunch break, we start again and close at 4.30 PM.

In the second time coming to that village, I have told the village leader that we will start the library at 1.30 so that there is no option to stop for lunch time. However, the village leader has his own business in another town with the district leader. Only my friends and I organized the library. As a consequences, not many kids come. However, I think I cannot force the kids to do what I want. Those who come even though there is no village leader, I presume, are those who rally want to learn and read. And they who come for that reason, even though the number is small is better for me.

I do not know until when I can do this program. Now, I just rely on my friend and my brother. Our family has car and my brother can drive it. So we can do this program. My brother works so that he only can do on Sunday. It is good, because, according to the village leader, the kids only can come to the library on Sunday, when it is not school’s days.