The write to Read

September 8 celebrates Literacy Day, an important event in Indonesia given the dismal record of literacy in the country. At the end of 2010 there were still 8.3 million people, or about 5 percent of the total population, still unable to read or write. Most of these illiterates are women over 45 years of age, and mostly living in eastern Indonesia. A number of non-governmental organizations have taken up the challenge of changing the situation. They are now teaching these women the basics of reading and writing so that they can, in turn, teach others the lessons they learned. The results have been encouraging, particularly where it has brought. improved standards of living. Tempo English Edition reports from West and East Nusa Tenggara provinces and West Sulawesi.