Silent Shelves Now Resonating

In a simple school in Gowa, the morning atmosphere felt different. Children, who usually prepare immediately for lessons, were seen gathered around the bookshelves. Some sat on the floor in the corner of the classroom, others carefully turned pages, while some shared interesting illustrations from newly discovered books. For them, new books are not a daily occurrence; therefore, the arrival of thousands of new books has brought a new vibrancy to their learning activities.

A total of 2,700 books were distributed to 27 schools through a collaboration between PNM and Kompas Gramedia. The collection includes various readings, ranging from children’s stories, general knowledge, professions, and culture to science and inspiring tales relevant to children’s worlds. “The children are very happy. They immediately gathered to read,” said Mansyur Kulle, one of the school administrators in Gowa who benefited from the programme.

For the students, these books serve as a simple way to explore a wider world. Through the stories and knowledge they read, children begin to discover new things that they had previously only heard about or had never imagined. This activity is part of a series of events marking PNM’s 27th anniversary through the RE3forE programme—Reduce, Re-love, Restyle—which focuses on the aspects of environment, economy, empowerment, and education. As part of this programme, PNM employees participated in collecting books to be distributed to schools in need.

In the small classroom, the significance of this activity felt profound. It was not merely about the number of books collected, but about the children now having more reading options, the growing curiosity sparked by the first page, and the opportunity to envision the future through the stories they read. After lessons, some children chose to stay behind, exchanging books, re-reading favourite sections, and sharing stories with their peers. From these small activities, a reading habit slowly begins to take root.

Change does not always arrive in grand forms. Sometimes, it begins with a book reaching a child’s hands, opened with curiosity, and becoming a gateway to new dreams. In conjunction with its 27th anniversary on 1 June, PNM held various activities to reaffirm the company’s commitment to community empowerment and environmental preservation. This initiative also aligns with PNM’s commitment to strengthening the business capacity of ultra-micro clients and encouraging the growth of MSMEs that are more independent, adaptive, and competitive.