BANGKA BARAT -- Fourteen years since it was established, the Rumah Stannia Reading Garden, located at Taman Peltim Permas in the PT Timah Tbk Metallurgy Unit Complex in West Bangka, remains active and vibrant.
With its lush setting and location in the middle of a children’s playground, Rumah Baca Stannia is not only a cozy place to gain knowledge but also serves as a recreational space for children in Mentok and surrounding areas.
It’s no surprise that in the afternoons, TBRS is filled with children reading and playing together.
Managed by the Association of Wives of Timah Employees (IIKT), Rumah Baca Stannia is a tangible initiative by PT Timah to promote literacy, especially among children, amid the growing dominance of technology.
TBRS boasts a diverse book collection—ranging from science books, novels, to comics—totaling over 1,000 titles.
At TBRS, children can do more than just read; they can also play with playdough, solve puzzles, color, and enjoy various educational games—all free of charge.
The continued existence of TBRS is a concrete effort by PT Timah to enhance children's literacy, providing a space for them to expand their knowledge through reading.
Elza Marlina, a TBRS administrator, said that every day, dozens of children visit TBRS—not only those from the PT Timah complex but also from the general public.
“In early 2011, there wasn’t a place for the kids here to gather and read together or do group homework. That’s when PT Timah initiated the creation of this reading garden. So now, every afternoon, kids come here to read, study together, play educational games, and have fun in the playground,” said Elza, who is affectionately called Bunda Elza.
According to her, children love the presence of the reading garden because they can read together and explore various books. It has also become a social and interactive space for them.
“This place is open to the public and serves as a great alternative to keep kids off their gadgets. It encourages them to get used to reading books, which are windows to the world,” she said.
Elza hopes that children will take full advantage of the facilities PT Timah has provided, both to read and to play together.
“Hopefully more children will develop a love for reading because we have a wide range of books here. It can make them smarter, and sometimes even the parents join in to accompany them,” she added.
Hanin, one of the visitors, said she often comes to TBRS because of its wide selection of books and the chance to play with her friends.
“I love coming here. I used to come every afternoon, but now it's a bit less because of school activities. There are so many books to read, and you can play with your friends too. You can even read in the garden—it’s really fun,” she said.
