Kids' writing program foundation to the future

Trisha Sertori ,  Contributor ,  Gianyar   |  Mon, 10/20/2008 11:20 AM  |  Bali

Stories of tigers and elephants, giant pythons and mysterious insects that populate the forests open up another world, and when those tales include true stories of forest villagers and their magic, readers are hooked.

Indonesian author, Butet Manurung, speaking last Saturday at Pondok Pekak Library in Ubud, drew dozens of children and adults imaginations into those magic forests where she shared her life with Indonesia's forest dwellers.

Butet spent more than nine years in the jungles of Jambi teachingfolk" to read and write. Her book, Sokola Rimba, (Jungle School) traces her journey into one of Indonesia's deepest jungles and the sometimes hilarious adventures that occurred when the city girl came face-to-face with forest dwelling communities.

Butet's presentation was just one of more than a dozen free children's workshops spanning film making, cartoon creation, story writing, painting and more sponsored by PT Freeport under its Freeport Cares program.

The Freeport children's program was presented by the 2008 Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) and reached more than 700 children, from tiny tots to teenagers.

"The mining company's support of the children's program was aeducation effort to introduce children to the wonders of the written word," PT Freeport Indonesia vice president Sinta Sirait said.

"This is the second year we (Freeport) have been involved with the UWRF children's program," Sinta said.

"The program is what we feel is at the grassroots - not just something for the elite, but an event where the children of Bali can mix with other kids, for example Papuan and expatriate kids."

Sinta said the program formed a foundation for children to build on for the rest of their lives through their close encounters with international and national authors.

"The children's program is really foundational because children will always remember this experience and we believe that it will have a great bearing on our future Indonesian writers,"Sinta said.

"For example, Butet talking about her experiences opens the horizons of lots of children and gives them different exposures.

They learn about different value systems and appreciate those differences in a fun way.

"Her stories excite children's curiosity and I am confident they will bring something home for greater tolerance and more understanding about their brothers and sisters across Indonesia."

"Reconnecting kids with their imaginations is another valuable element of the UWRF Freeport children's program, "Sinta said.

Many kids growing up in the modern world of computers, television and instant gratification rarely get to the use their imagination and create their own literature, be it as short stories, comics or film, she added.

"The world needs a new generation of writers. At this festival, children have the fantastic opportunity to learn about writing from experienced authors,"she said.

Also attending the children's program were three Papuan students from Yayasan Pendidikan Jayawijaya in Mimika regency, who were selected to come to Bali for the UWRF.

"This is a great opportunity for kids with talent to mix with other kids from other cultures and to learn about writing with international and national authors,"Sinta said.

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