A group of UGM students empowered rural communities to build Children’s Reading Houses and initiated preschool (PAUD) activities that were integrated with Healthcare Center (posyandu). The program which was implemented in Batur Hamlet, Wonolelo Village, Sawangan District, and Magelang Regency is expected to increase the literacy of the local community.
Literacy is the ability to read, write, and understand which is very fundamental for human life. According to a survey on the level of public literacy by PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) in 2015, Indonesia is still ranked 60th out of a total of 72 countries. Rural and remote areas often have lower literacy rates than urban areas, one of which is due to limited facilities.
Seeing this situation, Dinda Hermiranti P. from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Erlina Fahrunisa from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rodhliyah Nur Wulan from the Faculty of Philosophy, Antonius Aditya J. and MSC Gemilang from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Assisted by Communication Studies lecturer Lisa Lindawati, SIP, MA, together with the residents of Dusun Batur, were moved to establish the Anak Karung Goni Reading House. This hamlet is located on the slopes of Mount Merbabu and directly with Mount Merbabu National Park. Quite high and far from the center of government, this village can only be accessed via 2 narrow concrete roads with cliffs on the left and right of the road. The name Karung Goni was taken to describe simplicity with broad benefits, in line with the spirit of UGM.
For now, this reading house still contains books for children aged 3-15 years considering that the younger generation is a crucial element that must be immediately introduced to literacy. The books are placed in one of the residents’ houses which can also be used as a Children’s Learning Post. As for toddler, literacy improvement activities are carried out integrated with Posyandu through PAUD. Together with the Literacy Heroes and the Education Heroes who have been empowered, these two programs are the starting point for the development of literacy in Dusun Batur. Now, from an early age, Dusun Batur children can interact with books and educational toys that are more accessible and self-managed by residents.
