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PURBALINGGA, Indonesia — With an assortment of children's books, a 42-year-old man and a horse make their way through rural Indonesia weekly, giving children a chance to read the books for free.
According to Reuters, Ridwan Sururi and the horse, Luna, do this three times a week. He said the purpose is to encourage reading, and he uses the horse because he thinks it attracts kids.
"...without realizing, their interest in reading will grow," Sururi told Reuters. "So, it's more convenient for them, because we come to them."
According to the BBC, Sururi brings what is called the Kudapustaka — or "horse library" — to schools in a village called Serang, which is located in the Purbalingga region of Java island.
Sururi's friend, Nirwan Arsuka, gave him the idea and sent Sururi a box of books.
"I love horses, and I want this hobby to bring benefit to people," Sururi told BBC Indonesia.
Indonesia's literacy rate is very high, but the kids would rather watch TV, according to Reuters.
The children respond enthusiastically in Reuters' video. Febriyan Eko Wiyanto, a student, said he is delighted with the library.
"...it helps me gain knowledge and helps me with my school work," Wiyanto told Reuters.
