Untitled design (5)
Butet’s Biggest Adventure
Butet’s Biggest Adventure
Average Rating: 0.0
Country: Indonesia
Ages: 10-12 years
Author: Benny Rhamdani
Publisher: Nourabooks
Illustrator: Odilia Stevannie
Story Source: Room to Read

About The Story

Sha (Butet Manurung) always dreamed of adventure. After studying in Bandung, she became a forest conservation officer and journeyed into the jungles of Sumatra. There, she met the Orang Rimba—an Indigenous forest tribe struggling to survive as loggers destroyed their home and tricked them into signing contracts they couldn’t read. Butet didn’t turn away. Instead, she lived among them, faced dangers from wild animals, and survived on forest food. With deep respect and care, she began teaching the tribe to read and write, empowering them to protect themselves and their land. This true story of Indonesia’s Ashoka Award-winning changemaker shows how leadership is rooted in compassion, commitment, courage, and action—and how one determined woman brought the light of learning to a forgotten corner of the world.

Themes

Biography
Community
Inclusion & Disability

Sub Themes

Education for all
Indigenous rights
Women Changemakers
Courage and ethical leadership

Parent-Teacher Guide

Learning Outcome

  • Children will develop admiration for individuals who show courage and compassion by standing up for others and work to improve their communities.
  • They will understand how challenges such as deforestation, illiteracy, and inequality can affect Indigenous and vulnerable communities, and how education can help people protect their rights and environment.
  • Students will also be inspired by real-life changemakers who take risks to support others, and will reflect on the values of courage, ethical leadership, and empathy.
  • Most importantly, they will begin to appreciate that respecting different cultures and ways of life strengthens our shared humanity and helps build a more inclusive and pluralistic world.

Lesson Plan

  • Students will explore the story of Butet and the Orang Rimba through discussions, critical thinking, and activities.

Activities

  • Mapping Indigenous Forests/Tribes
  • Be a Changemaker Poster
  • Role Play: Leader for a Day

Story Discussion Guide

Before reading

  • What do you think a jungle school might look like?
  • Have you ever helped someone learn something new? How did it feel?
  • Why might some people not have access to reading or writing?

During reading

  • What kind of dangers did Butet face while living in the forest?
  • How did the Orang Rimba’s life change once they started learning?
  • What qualities helped Butet succeed in her mission?

After reading

  • Why is literacy important for every community, no matter where they live
  • Do you think it’s easy or hard to be a leader like Butet? Why?
  • How can education protect people and their environment?

Applicable Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 4: Quality Education

Butet founded a school within the jungle, offering the Orang Rimba access to reading, writing, and self-empowerment.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The story highlights educational equity and the inclusion of remote Indigenous communities.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The forest setting underscores environmental conservation, and the community’s struggle to protect their land.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The narrative reveals injustices faced by marginalized groups.

Comments

There are no comments

Leave a Reply

Sign up to receive notifications whenever we
release new books

Share this post

Start typing and press Enter to search

Shopping Cart
Sign up with Google