JAKARTA - In various simple schools in the hinterland, the laughter of children that morning was louder than usual. Among the shelves that have only contained a few old books, there are hundreds of new pages that bring colors, stories, and imaginations that they have never encountered before.
Their eyes sparkled when one by one the books were opened. Some immediately sat down in the corner of the classroom, immersed in the adventure story. There are also those who compete to show interesting pictures to their friends. Some children look so careful turning pages after page, as if holding something very valuable.
For many children in rural areas, books are not something that is easily accessible. Therefore, the presence of 2,700 books distributed by PNM together with Kompas Gramedia to 27 schools is more than just an additional collection of reading materials. The books present new experiences, open windows of knowledge, and cultivate dreams that have been stored in their minds.
In the midst of limited access to education and literacy, every book that reaches the hands of children makes them brave to know a wider world. From stories about professions, culture, science, to inspiring stories, they find that the future has so many possibilities.
This spirit is what PNM brings in the 27th anniversary series in the RE3forE program, namely Reduce, Re-love, Restyle, which focuses on the aspects of environment, economy, empowerment, and education. All employees are invited to collect books to build new hope for those in need in line with the theme "Together at Every Step, Accompanying in Every Struggle".
Children who usually rush home after school choose to stay longer to read together. Some even start exchanging books and retelling the contents of the reading to their friends. The previously quiet learning atmosphere turned into a room full of curiosity.
"The children are very happy to read books together," said Mansyur Kulle, one of the school managers in Gowa who was a beneficiary.
Through this step, PNM not only presents books, but also presents opportunities. Opportunities for children in remote areas of the country to get to know more stories, broaden their horizons, and believe that their dreams are worth fighting for.
Sometimes, big changes don't always start with something big. It can be born from a book that is opened with curiosity by small hands, in a school far from the hustle and bustle of the city. And from there, hope begins to grow for those who previously had difficulty getting opportunities.
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