I sat on the floor of the humble house Fery Irawan. I held my hands in the receiving position to accept the blessing of the water of one of the village elders. I felt honored to be part of this sacred rite and, as I was two degrees of the equator, it was a bonus to be filled with holy water blessed -. Both spiritually and physically
I was visiting Putuk Katimpun Village in Central Kalimantan and children were looking forward to my visit. I came armed with 50 pounds -. Big, bright, colorful cartoons and images on environmental books, sustainable agricultural practices and care for our world in a respectful way of the environment
These books reflect the vision of Green -Books.org. Petr Hindrich, the founder of the organization, was with me and explained how a donor gave $ 200 USD. Petr has used this money to buy 50 pounds. Green-Books.org is an organization that provides environmental education and books to school children across Indonesia. Schools and yayasan apply for books, and Green-Books.org running a crowdfunding campaign to get there.
Wheeling traction airport along bag on the raised platform wooden rickety was a delicate act. The narrow wooden pier is expected the main street of the village. Petr bought books all the way to Bali where Green-Books.org is based and was delighted to meet the children and return of books in person.
There are approximately 600 people living in the village and this wonderful project called Ransel Buku (meaning "books in a backpack") has been helping the village for 15 months now. It was at the instigation of Aini Abdul, a local Dayak Ngaju, this program began. Abdul is a professional teacher and worked as a tour guide on riverboats. Abdul was really touched by the poverty she witnessed in poor villages, she went and wanted to do more for children.
Abdul conducted an investigation, which confirmed the poor literacy levels in the village and the economic realities of most children never making high school. It costs USD $ 250 to register a child of three years of secondary education and ongoing costs for books, uniforms and transportation. These costs are unattainable for most villagers, as about 70% are fishermen and the average income is between USD $ 100 -. $ 200 per month
Abdul was determined to help children achieve a higher level of education. She held poetry readings in the city of Palangkaraya in cafes (one activity to the night mode), then ask for donations from the group of poets and writers gathered. Sometimes she would receive USD $ 10 on each person, and this has gone a long way to finance the purchase of books and stationery. Abdul also bought books with an extra tip earned from work as a guide and gave them to the village on his weekends in his backpack.
In the village of Katimpun, the government provides basic education, but due to some unseen circumstances, the education provided and available teaching hours are very limited.
The good news is that children are very enthusiastic and want to learn. About 18 months after Abdul began delivering books on weekends, she met a stranger, David Metcalf, who changed all that quickly. He supported the establishment of Ransel Buku as a registered charity, donating his own money. Metcalf started a crowdfunding campaign and requested the support of the project posted on , social media and networking through its vast network of friendship. Crowdfunding campaign raised enough money to hire a private teacher to work full time in the village for a year.
Photo by David Metcalf
"I am committed to helping children in this village and I want to see the program grow and spread to other villages in Kalimantan, "said Metcalf. "These local people are on the brink of poverty," he said. "Their land is feeling the effects of the production of palm oil and rivers are increasingly polluted runoff from acid and under toxic-products of illegal gold mining. the village chief told the slaughter of native forests of the region is causing problems with flooding. the average income in the village was greatly reduced due these environmental factors and impacts of the local fishing industry. Often, the first thing is impacted education, which is considered a luxury by many villagers. "
Ransel Buku is a local project. It has a honorary treasurer, administrator and Abdul at the helm. Ransel Buku now has a "Supporting a program for children." Metcalf, like Abdul, has a passion and spread the word about the yayasan. Metcalf is an author and a professional photographer and took the opportunity to Jakarta in 2014. With Tugu Kunstkring Palace Restaurant and Gallery in Jakarta, Metcalf has organized a photography exhibition for a month, supported by his editor. A generous donor has come along to the opening night, contributing USD $ 2,000. This went towards hiring a second teacher in another village, Bukit Rawi.
For this charity to continue and expand its work in favor of the poorest outlying villages along rivers in central Kalimantan, more funds are needed. Each donation goes a long way, and if you want to sponsor a child for $ 35 USD per month, it is the greatest gift you can give. School reports are regularly sent over the contact of current students through the delivery of mail (no Internet in those remote villages).
Please contact Aini Abdul by email if you want to arrange a visit to the village, because it is a wonderful way to show support. And remember to bring a backpack.
For more information on green-books.org, please visit www.green-books.org
Visit page Ransel Buku: www.facebook.com / RanselBuku and Go Fund me a site for donations. Please visit and help http://www.gofundme.com/ranselbuku or email ainiabdul@gmail.com