Reading has always been my hobby
since the first time I could read. At that time, I didn’t know that reading
could be a hobby, though. I thought reading was something everyone loved to do,
and it startled me when people were amazed to see me reading books so often,
because apparently not everyone enjoys reading.
Anyway, my love for reading never
withers. Of course my favorite genres shift every now and then, but it doesn’t
stop me from mentioning reading as my preferred pastime. Initially, I read kids
magazines and books (as I was a kid back then, probably still am), and I can
never forget Three Cousins Detective Club. As I grew up, I started to explore other
genres, from cheesy teen-literature during my elementary school years, then I
jumped to law and crime books by John Grisham – I can’t comprehend why I would
be interested in law stories at that time – and then I discovered fantasy
novels. Currently, I’m more interested in science-fiction, drama, mystery, and
non-fiction. Oh, I love comics too; whether they are Japanese manga or western
cartoon like Tintin (he’s my favorite cartoon character by the way).
As I grew older, I started to see
people around me develop various personal interests and they actually created
something useful and beneficial from their hobbies by joining clubs or
communities. I wanted to do that too. I wanted to enter the larger world of
books and find people whom I could share my interests with. At the beginning, I
was eager to join a fandom of my favorite series at the time, because I thought
joining that kind of club was cool and you got to have every merchandise and
construct fun activities related to the series. However, another thought came
to mind, “What if I no longer find the series interesting? What if my favorite
genre/book changes? What if I can’t remember important details of the series
and I don’t deserve to be in the fandom?” Too much thought, I know. So I tried
to search for another type of communities, which I could join regardless of
what I read. Eventually, I found Buku Berkaki (which literally translates to ‘book
with feet’).
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| Credit: Kak Ika |
It was late 2014, and I planned
to go to Indonesia Readers Festival (IRF). Weeks before the event, the
organizer, Goodreads Indonesia, announced the communities participating in the
event. Buku Berkaki was one of them. I can’t remember exactly why I chose Buku
Berkaki among other clubs, but I think it was because Buku Berkaki was
flexible, didn’t demand for me to do any specific task, and was located in
Jakarta. I didn’t even think about doing good deeds or volunteering, I just
wanted to experience being a member of a community. So I applied, and several
days later I got invited to their chatroom. The people of Buku Berkaki were so
friendly and nice to me, a newcomer. I then met them at IRF and they welcomed
me as if I they had known me for a long time. I felt touched :”)
Besides the kind and caring
members, Buku Berkaki itself has genuine goals and missions. Buku Berkaki focuses
on sharing and delivering books to the less fortunate kids, and also raising people’s
interest in reading and literacy. We go around orphanages in Jabodetabek, lend
books to the kids and read with them. We also donate books to remote areas in
Indonesia, such as Sembalun village in West Nusa Tenggara. We have our own
public library at Museum Kebangkitan Nasional (National Awakening Museum),
Jakarta, which was just recently redesigned (it’s so cute and comfortable now!). It gives me instant happiness and bliss every time I see the excited faces of children when they receive books.
This year also marks the 6th birthday
of Buku Berkaki. I hope Buku Berkaki can continue the journey of raising reading
awareness and keep putting smiles in children’s faces through books. Happy birthday,
Buku Berkaki. When a book walks, a dream works.
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