Trash Books: A Librarian’s Clever Swap
On the bustling island of Java, a librarian named Ms Raden Roro Hendarti has turned a humble three‑wheeler into a mobile library that rewards kids for picking up their own trash.
How the “Trash Library” Works
- Every weekday, Ms Raden mounts a pile of books on her three‑wheeler and heads to Muntang village.
- Children, often with mothers in tow, swing their plastic cups, bags, and other waste straight into her vehicle.
- For every bag, the kids grab a fresh book – and the spin‑and‑swap continues!
Reading Meets Recycling
She’s on a mission to do two things at once: promote literacy and clean up the environment. “Let’s build a culture of reading from a young age so kids spend less time glued to screens,” she says, “and at the same time teach them to fight climate change by responsibly disposing of waste.”
- Ms Raden collects roughly 100 kg of garbage each week.
- Her colleagues sort it and then recycle or sell the recyclable pieces.
- With a library of 6000 books ready to lend, she’s already dreaming of bringing the service to nearby villages.
Kids Get Their Motive
Meet Kevin Alamsyah, an enthusiastic 11‑year‑old who spotlights trash in the village. “When there’s too much trash, the environment gets dirty and it’s not healthy. That’s why I look for trash to borrow a book,” he explains with a grin.
Library Partners In The Cause
Jiah Palupi, the chief of the area’s main public library, praises Ms Raden’s initiative. “Her work is a perfect complement to our fight against online gaming addiction. It encourages reading while helping our community stay cleaner,” she says.
So next time you spot a little kid waving a bag of bottles at a three‑wheeler, remember: it could be a step toward a healthier planet and a brighter future, one page at a time.
<img alt="" data-caption="Volunteers sort plastic waste at a trash bank in Muntang village, Central Java on Nov 2, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”d8cef5b6-c419-4e82-8f54-7385042642ff” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/volun.jpg”/>
Shock Alert: Indonesia’s Reading Numbers Post‑COVID
Picture this: Indonesia’s overall literacy rate is a proud 96% for folks over 15, so many of us can comfortably read the menu, a textbook or that mysterious electric bill. Sounds neat, right? But hold onto your bookmarks because the World Bank’s September report has a bombshell: over 80% of 15‑year‑olds are falling short of the minimum reading proficiency set by the OECD. In other words, most of the teen population is stuck in the “just getting by” zone.
So, why should we care?
- Future Careers: If you can’t read a textbook, you’re missing out on most career paths.
- Economic Growth: A literate workforce is the engine behind a nation’s prosperity.
- Community Engagement: Reading skills empower people to participate in civic life and community projects.
What’s the plan?
- Boost Schools: Fitting more qualified teachers and modern resources into classrooms.
- Grab Attention: Interactive learning tools to keep kids glued to reading.
- Get the Youth Involved: Encouraging volunteering in libraries and reading clubs to spark a lifelong love of books.
Bottom line: Indonesia’s literacy scene rocks, but the pandemic’s shadow has tripled the number of teens who need a bit more help closing the gap. Let’s rally—together, we can make sure every 15‑year‑old can read the future.
