Have you ever imagined a beautiful island in the middle of the ocean, with vast savannas, lush forests, and stunning white sandy beaches? That’s Sumba, also known as the Land of Marapu—a hidden gem in East Nusa Tenggara. But behind its breathtaking beauty, Sumba faces a big challenge: many children here still struggle with reading.
One story comes from Marlin, a third grader at SDK Waimamongo. In first and second grade, Marlin had trouble reading. But thanks to the balanced reading approach used by her teachers, Marlin has made tremendous progress. “I love reading because it’s useful for me and my friends. I usually read at home and in the reading corner at school,” Marlin shared enthusiastically.
Marlin isn’t the only one. Orlan, a second grader at the same school, also experienced a big change after learning to read. “Now I can read. My teacher helps me, and I love listening to stories,” he said.
This transformation wouldn’t have happened without the dedication of teachers, who are consistently supported by the Indonesian Children’s Literacy Foundation (YLAI). Through regular training and mentoring, teachers receive the skills to make reading fun and engaging. It’s not just about theory—they practice interactive reading, guided reading, and shared reading. The result? Kids are more excited to come to school!
Marlin and Orlan’s stories are just a glimpse of the bigger challenges in Sumba. According to a recent survey, more than 115,000 elementary students in Sumba still lack basic skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic. National data also shows that East Nusa Tenggara ranks near the bottom in literacy indices.
But there’s always hope. Mrs. Veronika, principal of SDK Waimamongo, always reminds her team about the importance of responsibility and heart when running literacy programs. “No matter how good a program is, it all depends on the people who carry it out. If it’s done with heart, the results will be felt by the children,” she said.
Since 2022, YLAI has supported 30 schools in West Sumba and Central Sumba. The results are remarkable: the percentage of first to third graders who can read has jumped from 10% to over 70%! This year, YLAI, with support from UBS Optimus Foundation, is expanding to 34 more schools in Central and East Sumba, aiming to reach over 2,000 students.
The Balanced Reading Program will run for three years, providing intensive mentoring for teachers and schools. The hope is that Sumba will not only be known for its natural beauty, but also as a land that nurtures a generation of great readers.
Because in the Land of Marapu, every letter and word is a beacon of hope for the future of Sumba’s children.