The new school year has begun, bringing fresh energy to the Child Aid Papua environmental school! At the same time, our senior students are starting exciting internships at renowned hotels, while the construction of our new school is in full swing. Moreover, our student Faisal earned third place in a competition organized by Indonesia’s Central Bank with his presentation of an innovative business idea from Natan.
Start of the New School Year: 19 New Students Embark on Their Journey with Child Aid Papua
On July 8, the doors to our classrooms opened for another school year, and 19 eager youngsters crossed the threshold to begin a new chapter in their lives and education. Twelve of them are joining the 7th grade, while seven have taken their place in the 10th grade. By starting at the Child Aid Papua environmental school, these children will gain essential knowledge over the coming years — not only in core subjects but also in environmental studies — equipping them to shape their own futures.
More than 40 students applied for a place at our school and boarding house. The high demand still exceeds our capacity, making the selection process all the more critical. Two main factors play a decisive role: the financial situation of the family and their attitude toward education. Since our school remains completely free for children and their families—thanks to our generous members, donors, and supporters—we prioritize families who cannot afford basic education for their children on their own. At the same time, it is crucial that both the children and their parents have an unusually strong commitment to education, especially compared to the region's norms. Often, schooling is deprioritized in favor of family chores, such as caring for younger siblings or elderly relatives. Both students and parents must commit to regular attendance and full participation in lessons. Notably, the applications we received extended beyond the usual geographical boundaries. We even had inquiries from Sorong, several hours away by boat. The remarkable thing is not only the distance but also that the reputation of our school has reached Sorong, with more and more children willing to give up the more comfortable city life for the remote and more challenging life in Sawinggrai, just to receive their education with us.
Of the 19 new faces at the school, 14 children come from outside and now live in our newly expanded boarding house. This means that out of the total 43 high school and vocational students, 28 children from 19 different villages are now residing in our boarding house. Although this presents larger logistical challenges, it also brings the valuable satisfaction that our support is reaching so many different communities.
From School to Practice: The First Steps of Our Senior Students in the Professional World
With the start of the new school year, our six eldest students have begun their off-campus internships. All senior students have secured placements at renowned hotels in Manado and Sorong, where they now get the chance to apply their acquired skills in real-life situations for the first time. The education they’ve received at Child Aid Papua is already bearing fruit: the initial feedback from hotel managers has been overwhelmingly positive and full of praise.
The young adults demonstrate discipline, dedication, and particularly shine in their interactions with tourists, thanks to their advanced English skills. The internships are not only crucial for establishing themselves in the professional world but also serve as an important life lesson. For many of the students, this is the first time they have been on their own, learning how to manage their new work and living situations independently.
Nomen est Omen: The Müllers Unite for Child Aid Papua
This summer, we had a visit from a doctor couple from Switzerland, the Müllers (names deliberately unchanged 😊). Claudia is a pediatrician, and Thomas is an emergency doctor. Thanks to their professional support and advice, we have upgraded our on-site clinic and pharmacy. Additionally, we will improve our preventive measures and introduce regular medical check-ups. With the Müllers’ guidance, our staff is now well-trained to conduct systematic standard examinations, identify symptoms early, and provide treatment. For medical emergencies that exceed our expertise, the Müllers have provided us with a direct line to Switzerland and are available by phone for our questions and concerns.
As we’ve reported before, there is no public emergency medical care available in Sawinggrai. Our on-site nurse had been the only resource for local medical emergencies, but she often reached her limits due to the lack of resources and skills.
Thanks to the Müllers' support, we now have access to top-notch medical advice and, with our newly equipped pharmacy, the necessary tools for appropriate treatment. This wonderful example once again highlights how much Child Aid Papua relies on valuable external support. Our project is a collective effort that wouldn’t be as successful without the many helping hands and contributions from outside. We are incredibly grateful for this valuable support!
Success Story Continued: Faisal Presents Natan’s Business Idea at the Central Bank of Indonesia!
Our student Faisal was invited by the Central Bank of Indonesia to Manokwari to give a live presentation! Faisal has been continuing Natan’s successful business idea, which we’ve reported on previous occasions. Natan blends and sells juices to tourists, but due to his current internship (as he is one of our senior students), he cannot manage it himself.
Faisal took third place in this competition! This is not only a great achievement for him but also a valuable inspiration for all our students. It shows that they have a real chance when competing with other schools and that hard work and dedication always pay off. We are proud of Faisal and warmly congratulate him on this fantastic result!
News from the Construction of the New School
The construction of our new school is keeping us on our toes! Such a large project brings logistical challenges. The raw materials have to be transported from Waisai, and in some cases, even from Sorong to Sawinggrai. A reminder: much of the journey is over water. Especially with heavy loads, it’s not easy to find suitable means of transport. Tides add another layer of complexity: we have to carefully coordinate when the sea level is high enough to dock a boat in Sawinggrai.
Additionally, the project requires close, daily supervision and inspections, which keeps our team fully engaged. But despite these added challenges, we are very satisfied with the progress. The second floor is already underway, and the new school building is slowly taking shape. We can hardly wait to see the finished structure!
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