Across the vast and remote landscapes of Papua—from north to south, stands SD YPK Syalom Aduwey. The school building is simple. Its roof is made of metal sheets, the floors are unfinished concrete, and the windows have no glass, allowing fresh air to flow through the classrooms. Internet access comes and goes unpredictably, and electricity depends on a generator.
For years, reading at the school began with very limited resources. Teachers and students made the most of what they had. They read together, discussed stories, and shared the same books over and over so that every child had a chance to learn and enjoy them.
But that morning, everything felt different.The children arrived at school with excitement shining in their eyes. After two years of effort and preparation, the school’s new library was finally opening.
Inside, colorful wooden bookshelves were filled with bright children’s books, from beginner (beetle level) to advanced (elephant level) reading. The books were donated by Seatrek and delivered from Bali through Yayasan Literasi Anak Indonesia.
The children stepped into the room quietly, looking around in amazement. Some hesitated before touching the books. Until then, most of the pictures they had seen were in old, worn textbooks from the previous library. Now, they were surrounded by colorful storybooks, soft carpets, and cozy cushions. “There are so many interesting books, and I love them,” several children said almost at the same time.
From that day on, the library quickly became the most popular place in the school. Before class, during breaks, and after school, children gathered there to read, exchange books, tell stories, and draw pictures inspired by what they had read.
At the heart of this meaningful transformation is Mrs. Olivianti Kasing, a teacher who has continued to grow alongside her students since joining the school in 2019. During her first four years, she taught combined first- and second-grade classes. In her fifth year, she was entrusted with fourth grade, and she now teaches sixth grade while preparing to complete her bachelor’s degree. “This is all for you,” she told her students. “Because you love reading, and I want your dreams to grow beyond this village.”
In one corner of the library, Maria Rosary Lan was reading a story called The Princess of the Four Seasons and the Shoemaker.. Later, she shared the story with her classmates. It was about a poor child who dreamed of becoming a shoemaker because he had never owned a pair of shoes himself. Through hard work and perseverance, he eventually learned to make shoes for himself and for others.
Nearby, Theo Yan Wiliams Fatot was reading Wayan and the Turtle King.. The story tells of a village boy who sees the ocean he loves becoming polluted. After rescuing a sea turtle that became sick from swallowing plastic waste, he encourages his community to stop littering and work together to clean the beach. The story led to discussions among the students about protecting the environment and caring for the places where they live.
Through reading and retelling stories, teachers are doing more than building reading habits. They are helping students improve comprehension, think critically, and connect what they read to real-life situations in their communities.
The library may still be small. The walls are not fully painted, and the collection continues to grow. Yet its impact is already clear.
Parents and community members who were once unsure about the value of the library are beginning to see the difference it makes. Their children are talking about places beyond the village they have always known. They are becoming more confident and more willing to dream about their future.
“We truly feel that our efforts are appreciated,” said Mrs. Oliv. “Seatrek and Yayasan Literasi Anak Indonesia have supported us and encouraged us to keep growing.”
At the end of one library session, Mrs. Oliv asked her students, “Will you keep coming to the library?”
“I will keep coming because the library always makes me happy,” replied Laora Patresia Kacili.
“I want to keep coming so I can read all the books,” said Theo Yan Wiliams Fatot. “The library is beautiful and clean. I feel happy and comfortable there.”
Big dreams often begin with small opportunities. In this coastal village of Papua, those dreams are growing one page at a time. Resources may still be limited, but something important is taking root: a love of reading, a culture of learning, and a sense of hope carefully arranged on every bookshelf.
Today, the library is a source of pride for the school, our students, and their families. (Indah Sintya-CFL)