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