Getting the word out

Getting the word out

It was a Sunday afternoon, as Doom Island residents in Sorong,
Papua, waited for the arrival of Sri Rosiati and Sri Irianingsih,
better known as the "twin sister teachers" and founders of the
Kartini Emergency School for underprivileged children in Jakarta.

The two did not come to the island to campaign for the general
election, but instead brought with them hundreds of books to
start a reading club, with the assistance of local non-
governmental organization Sagu Swaka Foundation.

The reading club, the first of its kind in Papua but with a
promise of more to come, was named RosRian after the teachers by
the local people.

More reading clubs will be set up across the country but the
priority is given to eastern Indonesia, in the hope of nurturing
the love to read among school-age children. The written word will
open them up to a universe beyond their remote home, and perhaps
bring them a brighter future. -- Text and photos by P.J. Leo