Do you have tons of books that you are unlikely to read again? Consider donating them to those who need them most. 

Here is a compilation of local communities that focus on reducing illiteracy in Indonesia.

Perahu Pustaka 

The idea of creating a library on a boat came about after Maman Suherman, the author of novels Re: and peREmpuan, and journalist Muhammad Ridwan attended the Makassar International Writers Festival last year.

Inspired by the spirit of Sulawesi's hero Karaeng Pattingalloang, an avid lover of science and a multilinguist, who became the festival's icon, the duo decided to build a library boat to transport books to remote places in West Sulawesi.

Ridwan previously managed his own mobile libraries using motorbikes, horse-drawn carts and becak (pedicabs). Together with Maman, he founded Nusa Pustaka, a local library that collects maritime books in Mandar, West Sulawesi.

Books are seen inside Perahu Pustaka (Boat Library).(Maman Suherman/-)

The duo have established networks with other Pustaka Bergerak (mobile libraries) across Indonesia to distribute books, and have succeeded in raising donations of up to 10,000 books this year as well as building two more library boats for children in Sulawesi. One of them will start operating on Aug. 17.

Those interested in helping a good cause can contact Maman at maman.matahati@gmail.com.

(Read also: 12 Indonesian books you should add to your reading list)

Perahu Pustaka anchors at a remote beach in West Sulawesi.(Maman Suherman/-)

Ransel Buku 

Despite originating from Kalimantan, it wasn’t until Aini Abdul worked for a company that took tourists along ancient Dayak water routes on the Kahayan and Rungan rivers that she realized the concerning level of illiteracy in the jungles of Kalimantan.

She later made efforts to support education in the area through books and teaching. She also initiated environmental and health education for Dayak villagers in nearby Palangkaraya, built a library, sent teachers for training at the Green School in Bali, and helped to fund the schools.

You can view more of the programs and donate here.

The Jungle Library

In 2004, Audun Amundsen, a renewable energy engineer turned documentary filmmaker, went into a jungle in Mentawai, an island off Sumatra, and fell in love with the life there. He decided to return and lived there for three years. As the daughter of the family he stayed with has grown up and now works as a teacher in the jungle, he wanted to help her share knowledge with children and local people and later made plans to use books to introduce them to the outside world. 

Drop a line to Amundsen here.

(Read also: Check out Leila S. Chudori’s recommended reading list)

Children from a fishing village enjoy reading their books.(Maman Suherman/-)

Sastra Masuk Kampung

Sastra Masuk Kampung (Literature Goes to the Kampung) is one of the program run by writer Okky Madasari through her Muara Organization, which aims to introduce literature to a wider audience. Through the initiative, she encourages villagers to get to know more about literature through activities such as poetry reading.

Okky also collects books to stock up the library and hopes to get more children’s storybooks, young adult novels, literature, books for parents and other books to broaden people’s knowledge.

You can donate your books to Rumah Muara on Jl. Muara No. 11 Rancho, Tanjung Barat, South Jakarta. (kes)