Papua’s hidden gems — regardless of the region’s controversies
NEWS — August 2020
As a province located in the eastern part of Indonesia, Papua, also known as “Bumi Cendrawasih” due to its exquisite fauna of Cendrawasih birds, has a lot of hidden charms such as its beautiful culture, nature, and human resources. These gems are Papua’s high potentials that are rarely unveiled.
Unfortunately, despite Papua’s pristine potentials, some politicize Papua and seek benefit from that circumstance — and one of them is the ethnic issues that have become the source of multicultural conflict, which exacerbates the situation in Papua.
The racial-based tensions in Papua’s students’ dorm in Surabaya that happened last year has triggered the social instability which caused damage towards the development vision. Thus, it is undoubtedly essential to unveil Papua’s other sides, which are surely worth remembering to keep this region’s pearl shines.
Education Opportunities
Even though Papua is located far away from Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital city, it does not mean that Papuans lose the opportunity to obtain an education. Despite the limited education facilities in some regions in Papua, the struggle and spirit of Papuan to pursue educations are considerable.
Here are a few examples of young Papuans who have not only made their parents proud due to their achievements but also the country.
Meet Septinus George Saa, who won The First Step to Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004 that has brought Indonesia to be at the top of the world. Saa also found his own “George Saa Formula” which made him outperformed over thousands of students from 73 countries.
Besides, Lukas Norman Kbarek, a student of Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksa) Bali has become the inspiration for the youth given his achievement as the ASEAN Young Ambassador 2019. While in August 2018, representing Indonesia, Kbarek joined the Model of United Nations in Bangkok, Thailand.
Papua also has Gracia Billy Yosaphat Mambrasar, or called Billy — from Serui, Papua, who has been appointed as President Jokowi’s special adviser. His passion for education has brought him to be in that prestigious circle as Billy graduated from the Australian National University (ANU) specialized in project management and also Master of Science Program at Said Business School, Oxford University, England.
In 2009, Billy established a non-profit organization focusing on empowering and educating youth and children in Papua and West Papua named Kitong Bisa Foundation. This foundation now has 158 volunteers and more than a thousand students.
Research and Science Achievement
Bob Royend Sabatino Kaway and Thunus Lamek Yewi are the other Papua young generations who have joined NASA team who investigates whether or not rice can grow in outer space.
This outstanding achievement had made everyone proud as they were still the high school students in 2016 when they succeeded in the test, which has made them joining with the other scientists in NASA.
Sport Achievement
Furthermore, in the sports events, Papuan regional government never missed sending their best youths to compete in both national and international competitions — and many of them have successfully won the championships.
One of them was in 2011, when Serafi Anelies Unani won a gold medal at the 2011 Asian Games in the athletics field. She came out as the fastest runner with 11, 69 seconds reaching the finish line.
Besides, there is Franklin Ramses Burumi. He successfully brought three gold medals in the men’s relay field. We know Boaz Salosa, who managed to break into Uruguay’s goal in the football match between Indonesia and Uruguay.
There is also Raema Lisa Rumbewas, who won the medal in the weightlifting field.
Tourism Attractions
Most of us would surely remind Raja Ampat every time we dream of visiting Papua. In fact, there are still many other exciting tourist attractions in Papua which are worth visiting; some of them are Lembah Baliem and Loka Budaya Museum.
In Lembah Baliem, you would have a chance to directly interact with the natives of Dani, Yali, and Lani.
If you are interested in understanding the history of Papua, kindly visit Loka Budaya Museum in where there are much historical stuff and other remnants considered as the sacred things by the Papuan. But if you are keen on enjoying the sea, you may go to Bosnik Beach and Wafsarak Waterfall, which would make you feel soothing.
Social and Community Development Sectors
In terms of the community development sector, the overall human resources of the Papuan are worth considering. One of them is Simon Tabuni, a young Papuan.
He grew up in Manokwari and has become one of the founders of “Papua Muda Inspiratif,” a collaborative movement of Papuan and West Papuan’s youth, which aimed at encouraging the welfare acceleration in both provinces. Simon is also a native language researcher at the Center for Endangered Languages Documentation of Manokwari.
Besides, during this pandemic time, Simon initiated “Anggimart Online Groceries,” which has been used as the tool for Papua’s mama-mama to sell their products to the online market. This innovation is part of Simon’s commitment to contribute to the economic problem worsening after COVID-19, which hamper the small markets in Papua and West Papua.
In the end, we finally see that despite the social, economic, and political problems that Papua is facing, there is an abundant of high potentials worth looking at.
Talking about Papua is not merely about the conflicts as most people always portray. We need to rethink and reconsider that Papua’s development is still on progress, and it surely requires the collaboration of everyone, not just the leaders — but also Papuan themselves. (*)
