Mountain stop

Today we journeyed into the wilds with the bookmobile. We left Sigl and drove perhaps two hours along a mountainous road, heavy on switchbacks to a subdistrict that was pretty remote. It hasn't been a bookmobile stop for over 6 years as it required the bookmobile to travel through a GAM conflict zone. The stop was in the village of Tangse and we stopped first at the Subdistrict leaders office. After the meeting was done we ducked through the trees and under the prickly flower bush to the elementary school where the bookmobile had stopped. The second stop was at a high school just down from the market and across the street from a pretty large mosque.

So, well the only to describe it is -it was a mob scene. First the kids were crazy to get a book to look at and then when they saw the white ladies, all hell broke loose. We were swarmed in a nice a way, although Dawna reports a couple of pinches on the nether quarters. We've been told that perhaps they have never seen any white people (boolies) before.

The leader of the subdistrict talked with us about the effect of the period of conflict and how disruptive it was on the population and their livelihood. He reported to us more than 70% of the population were living below the poverty level. It was evident in the children - many with very bad teeth, worn clothing and shoes with holes. Everyone was in uniform and presentable for school, mind you.

Community members were also visiting at the high school stop. Since the library hasn't been there in recent years everyone needs first fill out the registration form, so there was much disappointment when the books had to be handed back and everyone realized they would need to wait for next month before the borrowing could start.

The library introduced new stops after we went over scheduling options and talked about using the current bookmobile to the fullest. We said they would need to do that before they would be eligible to get a second van. They wrote a business proposal about their plan and the new bookmobile was approved. It has taken them a while to get it started but the new schedule is slowly being implemented and the 2nd bookmobile is expected mid June. So now after the CALGAP purchasing is complete they will have another slightly larger bookmobile van and the Province is also giving them something smaller more like a standard sized van. So between these different vehicles they should be able to get to all 21 subdistricts - perhaps for the first time ever. It looks to Dawna and I like the Pidie library might need more books if there is the same level of demand at other newly introduced stops.

There is a lot of excitement about the results with the bookmobile- it is just a huge need and the children especially are thirsting for books and knowledge. We travelled today with our consultant, translator and the head of the library Mr. Mukhtar and the sub head Ibu Nufrida and I think everyone was moved with the power of the service and response. The heads of the library were even nervous and apologetic beforehand thinking that since this was the first time for the stops it might not draw many people. So wow!

On the way back we stopped for lunch by the riverside at a cantina (probably goes by another name here in Indo). It was kind of fun - Mr. Mukhtar didn't think the food was coming fast enough so he started cooking. He's a hands on kind of guy. In fact, when the bill was being tallied Mr. Mukhtar took the calculator from the proprietor in order to check the math. He is a former headmaster. Dawna and I picked up the tab - $8 for 11 people. It was a deal.

We were so beat at the end- bit of sun can really do a number on your wakefulness or sleepyness as the case may be. So it's 9:30 at night now and we are talking about calling it a day.