Through Reading, Opening the Window of the World

Wunga Village, Haharu sub district, East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, is a village located in the northern part of East Sumba. The story about the village reached my ears from my cousin Apriana and my friend Marselinus Hambakodu, a lecturer in Animal Husbandry ini Wirawacana Christian University, Sumba, who is originated from Wunga village. Many children in Wunga village are unable to read and write, even some elementary school pupils cannot yet write their own names.

It is no longer new things especially in isolated areas, there are still many elementary school-age children who have difficulty to read and to write. Actually, this is the duty and responsibility of school, but how far the teachers and schools are able to touch each individual with their limited time and the number of teachers, while students are abundant. It is needed additional supporters especially young people who have higher education with self-awareness to contribute efforts for human resource development. 

I encouraged myself to see the existence of children in Wunga village because I also have never been there. After having a deep conversation with Apriana, and Marselinus, we agreed to pioneer a reading group in Wunga and on January 2, 2020 by taking a 4-hour ride on motorcycle, finally I first set foot in this village. A very remote place, without a communication network and no electricity. What a pity, Wunga is far from millennial touch, and even said as a remote village. 

When we arrived, the children had gathered at health service center building and they were ready to learn. It was about 30 children came and very enthusiastic to welcome us. I also greeted them, told stories and invited them to dream, someday what they want to be or figure they want to be. Based on my English- educational background, I taught them to learn the names of professions in English, taught them nouns and adjectives in English and also sang English songs. Their enthusiasm for learning was very high. When I asked their school location, they answered that it was about 2 kilometres away. It was very tickling when I heard that they were very diligent to go to school, but their teachers rarely attended the school. It was truly an irony of education. 

These things become my motivation to continue to accompany, and build their enthusiasm for learning. Even though their place is very far from the place I live, it does not reduce my intention to be there for them and by having collaboration with reading group activists, we agreed to visit the village of Wunga twice a month to assist them in learning. Hopefully with the presence of the reading group, their enthusiasm for learning increased to gain new knowledge and through reading they can observe the world closer. 

Children are the hope of the nation's future, that’s why a good period of growth and development will affect their future. Their healthy physical and mental, smart-quality education, and care are the responsibility of all society elements. Lots of hope in my heart for Wunga village. ** (ELZ).