Where We Work: Indonesia & Mexico
The World is Just a Book Away (WIJABA) currently operates in three core regions of Indonesia where children have little to no access to books (Sidoarjo, Java; Padang, Sumatra, and Bali). All WIJABA projects are launched in conjunction with the local community and are based on in-depth input and feedback from children, teachers, parents, and administrators.
Local staff partner with local communities to ensure that our programs (physical libraries, mobile libraries, parents libraries, and educational programs) are tailored to the needs of each specific community. The WIJABA Indonesia Team is comprised of local men and women with in-depth local knowledge who are dedicated to affecting change in the lives of children and communities dedicated to affecting change in the lives of the children and communities we serve.
Regional offices ensure that we have our finger on the pulse of community needs and that we can rapidly adapt to change in order to best serve the communities in need through long-term partnerships, while also ensuring the maximum effectiveness of each dollar donated by WIJABA supporters.
Sidoarjo, Indonesia (Projects Launched in 2009)
WIJABA opened its regional office in Sidoarjo, Indonesia (site of the world’s worst mudflow disaster that has displaced more than 60,000 people and hospitalized more than 40,000 others). With the astonishing generosity of more than 300 initial donors, in 2009, WIJABA opened 21 libraries connected to schools in this region and its first mobile library. In doing so, WIJABA laid the groundwork to reach all the children most affected by the mudflow disaster (10,000+ children with more than 17,000 books).
Padang, Indonesia (2011)
In 2010, WIJABA opened its second regional office in Padang, Sumatra (a region affected by a major Tsunami and several major earthquakes in the recent path that resulted in tremendous destruction and the loss of more than 1,000 lives). In 2010 and 2011, WIJABA launched 27 libraries and 1 mobile library to serve 17,000+ children with 23,000+ books.
Bali (2009/2012)
In 2009, WIJABA, in conjunction with the Intercontinental Hotel and in collaboration with the international superstar, Cher, launched its first library in Bali, which is currently managed through the Sidoarjo Regional Office. In 2012, WIJABA is on target to open its regional office in Bali to facilitate the launch of libraries at all the orphanages of Bali (where there is the deepest need).
Chihuahua, Mexico (2012)
WIJABA is excited to announce the launch or our projects in Chihuahua, Mexico in 2012. To stay tuned, sign up for our newsletter.
