That morning, the courtyard of SDN 2 Mola Utara was filled with children’s smiles and laughter. They were dressed neatly, carrying an unmistakable sense of excitement. Some were eagerly asking when they would be allowed into the new library — a place they had only been able to peek into through the windows for weeks. The day felt special, and they knew something important was happening at their school.

Students of SDN 02 Mola Utara wait for the invited guests at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Child-Friendly Library

Just days earlier, the skies over Wangi-Wangi had looked gloomy. Rain had fallen almost every afternoon, causing the organizing committee and teachers to worry. But on the morning of July 17, 2025, the weather cleared. The sun slowly emerged from behind the clouds, as if joining the celebration of the library opening of Taman Bacaan Pelangi’s 260th Child-Friendly Library — a reading space specially designed for children, where they can feel comfortable, safe, and happy while reading.

Adriansyah Halim, Assistant CEO of J&T Express, accompanied by the Regional Secretary of Wakatobi district and the Head of the Wakatobi Education and Culture Office, carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony as a symbolic act for the child-friendly library opening at SDN 02 Mola Utara.

The library opening was lively and heartwarming. Among those present were Adriansyah Halim, Assistant CEO of J&T Express, representing the main donor, as well as representatives from various institutions, including the Regional Secretary of Wakatobi district, the Head of the Wakatobi Education and Culture Office, representatives from the Southeast Sulawesi Education Quality Assurance Agency (BPMP), the Library and Archives Office, primary school principals, community leaders, teachers, and parents.

Representatives from J&T Express and the local government of Wakatobi district, together with the students of SDN 02 Mola Utara, entered and toured the library

Equally important was the presence of the students of SDN 2 Mola Utara, who were at the heart of this entire process. Their laughter and cheers as they explored the new books in the library showed just how impactful this space would be in their learning journey.

The library also serves as a small gift ahead of Indonesia’s National Children’s Day, celebrated on July 23, 2025 — a reminder that every child in Indonesia, wherever they may be, has the right to dream, to learn, and to grow in a nurturing environment.

Students of SDN 02 Mola Utara read quality storybooks inside the library

Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who collaborated, especially J&T Express as the main partner, and to the entire school community and local government for supporting the creation of this literacy space.

May this be the first step in many more stories of transformation in Wakatobi and other regions across Eastern Indonesia.