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Today, many schools throughout Indonesia are still unable to get access to books. In fact, books are an urgent need for children wherever they are.

Anis Baswedan packing the books/ Photo: Safari TNOL

Moreover, books do not only serve as an open window to the world, but also a source of motivation for Indonesian children to dream big, pursuit their ideals better and grow up.

To assist schools and help children in the remote areas of Indonesia in gaining access to books, Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar [Indonesia Educates Movement], Indonesia Menyala, and PT. Indika Energy, Tbk will conduct a 'Pack Your Spirit' program by delivering a number of books donated by various parties. At least 30 thousand books will be sorted and donated by this group.

The books are classified into four categories. Class subject, general knowledge, magazines and stories, which will be sent to 134 elementary schools in 14 provinces which will become the placement of young teachers. The books will be enjoyed by more than 18 thousand elementary school students from various parts of Indonesia.

The process of sorting and packing the books were conducted in two days, from Friday to Saturday (January 27 and 28 2012) in the yard of PT. Indika Energy, Tbk office at South of Jakarta. The event was attended by Kiki Otto Kurniawan, Assistant VP-Corporate Affairs Indika Energy; Anies Baswedan, Chairman and Founder of Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar; and some of the young teachers also joined.

Through this collaboration, Indonesia Menyala and Indika Energy will continue to have passion for advancing and developing the human resources of Indonesia.

Next, these three institutions will also develop small libraries in every school throughout Indonesia. The "Pack Your Spirit" program allows all book senders to share because all this time they have just been sending the books away without thinking whether those books can reach the respective destinations.

Anies Baswedan explained that the program aims to encourage all the parties to get closer to students. Books can also inspire children to move forward and see new opportunities and a better world.

"This program allows us to know that we have other families in other places that want to see the world in a different way," Baswedan said.

Anies revealed to encourage the spirit of nationalism to students, every teacher of Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar were also asked to represent the country. Their presence is not based on who send them, but rather to educate the students in the remote areas to be able to see the world outside.

"Well, we kind of build spirit, while today people are blaming each other. We try to change it," Baswedan asserted. [sbh] [rs]