082 / Lihunu, Minahasa Utara, North Sulawesi
After the government issued permits to a foreign mining company a couple years ago, some villagers in Linuhu village agreed to sell their land, assuming that mining activity will benefit their economy. Sadly, in a small island like Bangka, mining activities just cause pollution and damage the coastal ecosystem.
This issue encouraged Mrs. Ulva Takke to start her own NGO, Suara Pulau. She created a program called Environmental Education. It is a non-formal education program for children on four islands (Kinabuhutan, Talise, Bangka and Gangga).
Some of their activities include reading, drawing, snorkeling and trekking. It focusses mainly on corals, sea grass, mangroves and waste management.
They work together with several villages among these islands, which is why this mobile Eco-Education Center will be rotating around these locations.
Mrs. Ulva is highly motivated to give the children a better environment. She believes that to achieve this goal, it is absolutely necessary to teach them a sustainable lifestyle and to raise their awareness for their beautiful environment.
Unfortunately the books got lost during the shipping process, they were sent form the Jakarta publisher but never reached Lihunu.