On an early rainy morning on Saturday, March 18, our team gathered in our headquarters in Palangka Raya city to prepare for our trip to Talekoi Village, an old Dayak Ma'anyan village in rural South Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan. Our mission on this trip was to upgrade the library in Talekoi village and improve children's literacy through the "Smile Project." The Smile Project is a green educational project initiated by Muhammad Andi, alumni of Green Warriors Generation 1. This project aims to educate youth about the environment and improve children's literacy. Using full raincoats, six of us began our eight-hour journey by motorcycle.
Muddy road on the way to Talekoi village.
At 2 pm, we finally arrived at Talekoi village after struggling through the muddy and slippery company road. After taking a short break, we continued walking to the Talekoi library with our hands full of books, paints, and painting tools to start repainting the library. The old village library was located on the outskirts of the village, next to the kindergarten and elementary school. The faded wood paint and the smell of ripped old books eaten by termites illustrate how poorly maintained the library was.
Ms. Devi, the librarian, shared that it is very challenging to maintain the library with a limited budget. "I have frequently asked the village official to renovate the building and buy new books. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our village does not have adequate funds and resources to do that", expressed Devi. "Many of our books are worn out and damaged. That, I believe, is one of the reasons why our library is no longer frequented by many children.”
Boy and Bay, the twins from Talekoi village.
Many of Talekoi youth and children were very enthusiastic about taking part in the project and making a new beautiful face for their library. We started by cleaning the library and sorting the old books. Then, we coated the wall with new paint. After two days of work, we finally finished painting and decorating the library. Outside, a lovely tree and colorful prints of children's hands adorned the wall. Inside, more trees and educational strikers decorated the wall, along with two glass cabinets full of books.
Painting the wooden wall with words “Let’s read!”
Kids gave their hand prints on library’s wall.
Muhammad Andi, Green Warriors gen 1 who is also the initiatot of SMILE education project.
"I love my new library. It is very beautiful. I am proud that I helped to make it pretty. There are many new children's books too. I will come here often, "said Keyshia, a kindergarten kid.
“Renovating the library and upgrading the books are our first steps to improve children's literacy in Talekoi and helping develop the village. We hope to do more in the future by bringing more books for the children. As the book is the window to the world, we hope this project will open the gate for the Talekoi kids to the bigger world outside,” said Muhammad Andi.
Before the renovation.
After the renovation.
Thank you to all volunteers and donors who sincerely supported this "Smile Project".
Written By Sumarni Laman
