Who holds the key to the world? The answer would be none other than us. By getting ourselves literate, we let the world move towards us. From the green Switzerland, golden deserts of Northern Africa up to the cold and white eternal winter of the Arctics.

Unfortunately not all of us have the opportunity to hold the very key itself. Just take a look into our dearest island. There are still people with limited access to the world-at-the-grip-of-your-hand called “book” in Bali.

Having being acquainted with a preceding form of writings since the ancient ages, why should the Balinese still have those who are not familiar with readings and/or writing. Well, the traditional inheritance is probably one of the causes for this matter. Inscriptions in stone, lontar leaves were accessible to the nobility or some certain groups only. It doesn't reach the grassroots of the society.

The same thing goes for writing too. There has been research carried out in several areas in Indonesia, and Bali fell into the low category. It is assumed that the religious dogma is the reason for this. It is said that only those from the Brahmana caste or religious figures may access the Vedic scripts. And heavy penalties should fall for those of a lower caste who attempt to access these scriptures.

In addition, in the old days, the most populer way for people to spread their knowledge is through word of mouth and not written. And as the decades went, people still show low interest in reading because of a shortage in opportunities and in facilities. Research has discovered that low reading interests are also due to the minimum number of libraries present.

Then along came the University of Southern California (USC) Alumni Club Indonesia with their program: The World is Just a Book Away” who have donated books to hundreds of elementary schoolchildren in Indonesia. This organization was established by James Owens, a professor at the USC in 2008 (visit www.justabookaway.com). This organization aims to build libraries in developing countries to form hope for a better future.

Now, we, as the holder of the same key, as James Owens and his friends, should at least share the opportunity that we once and still have. And make others experience the world, from a small room on the side of a region flooded with mud, or from the most arid of places in Jimbaran.


Courtesy of Bali and Beyond, www.baliandbeyond.co.id