Literacy Safari program in East Nusa Tenggara -
The effort to sow the seeds of literacy continues to be echoed by the Indonesian Reading Ambassador Gol A Gong in the Literacy Safari program. The Java-Nusa Tenggara Island literacy safari that has been going on since January 2022 has reached its end in Kupang Regency. Along the literacy safari route, the campaign “Reading is Healthy, Writing is Great” continues to be voiced. Breaking through bureaucratic barriers and social strata.
Kupang Regent Korinus Masneno positively welcomed the Indonesian Reading Ambassador Literacy Safari. According to him, events like this should often be held in the district. Kupang thus triggering the publication of quality books produced by the community.
"We will replicate this activity in our education program. Something good doesn't need to be hesitated or embarrassed to be imitated," said Regent Korinus, starting his remarks, on Friday, (08/04/2022).
Adding to the Regent's confidence, Bunda Baca East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province Julie Sutrisno Laiskodat emphasized that the people need to improve their quality and capacity so they can become literacy ambassadors in the their province. Literacy is one way to improve one's quality.
"We need to campaign for tourism in NTT through various promotions and writings that arouse people's interest to come here, so that they know the potential and natural wealth of NTT," said Julie.
Julie then continued, NTT Province has 21 regencies and 1 city. And each region has a different tour. So, our joint task is to literacy the community so that they understand that the tourist destinations in NTT are unique, impressive, and beautiful.
Meanwhile, the Main Librarian of the National Library of Nelwaty stated that the benefits of reading not only make us think positively, furthermore, reading can also learn new skills.
“Reading makes people think positively, so it will give birth to positive energy. By reading a lot, the horizon of knowledge will be wide open," he said.
Indonesia, according to UNESCO's calculations, is still experiencing a shortage of reading materials. The ideal ratio recommended by UNESCO is 1 person reading 3 new books per year. Meanwhile, the current condition is that 90 people are waiting for 1 book (1:90). Therefore, he hopes that through activities like this, he can stimulate the birth of new writers in the regions, especially in the province of NTT.
According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday (08/04/22), literacy ambassador Gol A Gong said writing activities are part of self-identity. Especially if we write about local wisdom. Telling about the advantages that our own area has.
"By writing, everyone has the potential to elevate local culture into national wealth and even be known internationally," concluded Gol A Gong//VOI