The Universitas Indonesia (UI) Patriot Expedition Team, led by Dr. Abellia Anggi Wardani, a lecturer from the French Study Program at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB UI). The team, which includes cross-disciplinary students and alumni from FIB UI, FIK UI, and Universitas Padjadjaran, officially opened the Parudongka Reading Corner in Parudongka Village, Routa District, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on October 17, 2025.
Through this initiative, the Faculty of Humanities at Universitas Indonesia reaffirms its role in bridging academics with community development. The community service activity, titled ‘Parudongka Reading Corner,’ proves that cultural and literacy approaches can make a real contribution to educational equity in the 3T areas (Foremost, Outermost, and Underdeveloped).
The Parudongka Reading Corner originated from the team’s findings during research and mapping of the transmigration area in collaboration with the Ministry of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia. Observations revealed a lack of library facilities in every village in Routa District.
Based on this, the team, along with the local community, village officials, and a number of donors, initiated the creation of a simple reading space. The room, which was previously used as a logistics warehouse for the transmigration area, was cleaned, painted, and decorated to become the Parudongka Reading Corner.
During the preparation process, the community participated in painting, cleaning the yard, and collecting book donations. Books, which arrived from various regions such as Yogyakarta and Jakarta, were sent in stages due to the challenging access to Parudongka Village (requiring travel by air, land, and lake).
The opening, held on a Friday afternoon, was marked by the enthusiasm of elementary and junior high school children who joyfully welcomed the new reading room in their village. Although the book collection is still being shipped from various areas, the inaugural activity was filled with creative activities and literacy introduction guided by the expedition team.
The interaction that took place demonstrated a high curiosity from the participants. The children discussed the types of books they wanted to read, and some even asked if books in the local language would be available. For the expedition team, this enthusiasm signals that the Parudongka Reading Corner will be a vital space that grows together with the community.
In addition to children’s reading materials, the Routa Community Health Center (Puskesmas) supported the initiative by donating books on health, nutrition, and growth and development. This contribution is expected to broaden the community’s insight into the importance of healthy living and support the educational function of the reading corner for all age groups.
During the event, the team handed over the room, which had been repurposed into the Reading Corner, back to the village authorities. The hope is that this space can become a sustainable and educational place for community interaction.
In her address, Dr. Abellia Anggi Wardani expressed hope that the children of Parudongka who enjoy reading today will someday pursue higher education and return to build their homeland. Meanwhile, Mr. Irianto, the representative of Routa District, expressed appreciation for the team’s initiative and hoped that similar activities could inspire other villages to provide educational reading and play spaces for children.
Mrs. Nurbaya, the Acting Village Head of Parudongka, also welcomed the presence of the Reading Corner as a positive step to revive the children’s learning spirit in the village. Mr. Sukarman, the Head of the Routa Community Health Center, emphasized the importance of synergy between literacy and health. The reading corner is expected to become an extension of the Community Health Center in providing health education to the public.
Through the Parudongka Reading Corner, it is hoped that children can fill their free time, especially during power outages, with activities that build their imagination, insight, and reading habits. (Trans-RMRW)
Photo Caption:
Lecturers, students, and alumni of the Faculty of Humanities, along with students and alumni of the Faculty of Nursing from Unpad and UI, inaugurate a Reading Corner in an isolated area.
