Reflection of Participants in Local Exposure to Raja Ampat

Finally, I set foot on the land of Papua! Yes, on February 15, 2023, I arrived in Papua for the first time through the Local Exposure Program to Raja Ampat, one of Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta's activity programs to strengthen Stube HEMAT services and space for Stube HEMAT student activists who are currently studying in Yogyakarta to share their knowledge and skills for students and the community in Raja Ampat and the surrounding areas. I was in Sorong and Raja Ampat until 28 February 2023.

In this exposure activity, I invited local students to map their personal and regional potential, writing skills, and computer skills, mentoring children and supporting the activities of the multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Raja Ampat. Living in Papua region means friendliness, smiles, warm welcomes, and greetings. Yes, not according what people say, somebody said, and maybe utterances, but this is an authentic experience of living with family in Papua. Perceptions and assumptions are enlightened when they are mingle and interact with them. Papuan people welcome someone, regardless of background. I explored Sorong, Waisai, Aimas, Majaran, and Katapop, indeed found Wonosobo village in the southern part of the Sorong regency.

Local exposure in Raja Ampat, including Sorong and its surroundings, provided experiences that led to the conclusion of the importance of making more efforts to improve the quality of Human Resources (HR) of the Papuan people. This is a tough challenge and it takes time to catch up. The challenge that exists is finding people who are truly 'concerned' about improving the quality of human resources, then 'finding' institutions or sponsors that support efforts to improve human resources on an ongoing basis, and no less important is the right target group of people to be invited to advance and to improve the quality of the human resources.

Geographically, Raja Ampat as an archipelagic region has its challenges regarding access to each island, and how each region can be connected with cheap and safe transportation. Synergy is needed to move forward together involving government policies, academics with ideas and thoughts, institutions and the private sector moving forward, and the active role of society.

The forms of support that the author found in Majaran, Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Raja Ampat serve to increase human resources, both knowledge and skills, not only for young people and students, but even for children and other age groups. An orphanage that accommodates children from various inland areas in Papua, such as Sorong, Tambrauw, Maybrat, Manokwari, Nabire, Timika, Wamena, and Merauke, to live and to continue their education in Majaran and its surroundings. At least, they can get a better education and the opportunity to interact with more people, thereby, helping them have new experiences and broaden their insights.

Once again, with the commitment to 'Leaving No One Behind' in Papua, it is important to find people who have the passion to serve in improving human resources, institutions supporting people on an ongoing basis, together with local communities who deserve to have a better life. ***