By Pastor.(Em) Bambang Sumbodo (Board-in-charge Stube HEMAT)

Morning greetings from the eastern part of Indonesia #4, Raja Ampat, West Papua

On Waigeo Island, which is the government center of Raja Ampat regency, we  had an opportunity to meet students of Unipa (University of Papua) majoring in Eco-Tourism. Two lecturers greeted us warmly, they were Mr. Marjan from Toraja, South Sulawesi, and Mrs. Novelin from Medan, North Sumatra. They are really the unsung heroes, who fought to develop education in this place.

We were so happy because we could motivate them to learn and live. We emphasized that students as the next generation had to have idealism about the future and be a blessing for themselves, nation, and country. Nearly 80% of students come from areas outside Waigeo Island. These students looked pure and innocent, so it was our hope for them to be able to manage their lives efficiently, to have a motivation to be independent, to be able to analyze situations and opportunities, and to be perseverant in their efforts. They welcomed us with happy faces and had the hope of continuing to study in Java. We were very optimistic that in the future they will be able to manage the wealth of Raja Ampat, West Papua, which is so rich in nature for the country and Indonesians.

We ended the meeting by singing ‘Padamu Negeri’ song, and they memorized this song better than the song of Tanah Papua. May God bless these students for the nation and the country of Indonesia. ***