Building Bridges and Expanding Horizons: Full Throttle into 2025

The year 2024 ended with great success and special moments for Child Aid Papua, culminating in an unforgettable school graduation celebration. Our students gained valuable insights into the professional world, four 11th graders secured internships in Bali – and a feature on Channel News Asia brought our environmental school into the international spotlight. The story of Mesli and her father, a former shark fisherman who gained a new perspective on marine conservation through his daughter, powerfully illustrates the profound impact of our work. With a successful volleyball camp featuring professional training from Germany’s national coach, major progress on our new school building thanks to intensive international support, and many new opportunities ahead, we are entering 2025 with full energy!

Spectacular End-of-Year Celebration

Child Aid Papua’s environmental school built on the success of the previous year and once again delivered a Broadway-worthy graduation performance to end the year 2024. Countless hours of preparation went into the event—intensive singing rehearsals, elaborate decorations, and tireless dedication. No effort was spared to present the audience with a stage-ready show.

As in previous years, students' parents were invited, but the audience extended far beyond. Villagers, other non-profit organizations, dive schools, and many more who didn’t want to miss the spectacle joined the celebration. Even the Deputy Head of Education for the Southwest Papua Province surprised us with his visit. The venue was packed to the last seat, and the verdict was clear: thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

It was an unforgettable experience that filled not only the children and their parents with pride but deeply moved all of us at Child Aid Papua. The festivities continued well beyond the performance into the late hours of the evening.

This event was more than just a fitting end to the school year—it made our impact more visible to a wider audience and brought together various organizations in the region through this special celebration.

Thanks to Stella’s Child, the 11th Grade Heads to Bali

The end of 2024 not only marked the successful completion of Eta, Putri, Vence, and Neda’s internships at Ryligh in Sorong, as well as Natan and Sintike’s internships in Manado—topics we covered in our last newsletter—but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our oldest students. At Child Aid Papua, one highlight always follows the next!

Thanks to scholarships from Stella’s Child, four of our six 11th-grade students qualified for internship placements at prestigious hotels in Bali at the start of 2025. This achievement is especially remarkable because, initially, our students did not fit the profile for the selection process, which was designed exclusively for school graduates. But true to the saying nothing ventured, nothing gained, they took on the challenge, submitting motivation letters, compiling application dossiers, and undergoing around four Zoom interviews. Their determination paid off: four of the six available scholarships for the West Papua region were awarded to Child Aid Papua students.

This success opens up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our senior students. The six-month training program in Bali will allow them to broaden their professional and personal horizons far beyond Raja Ampat. These internships are not only crucial stepping stones for their future careers but also invaluable life lessons. The four students have never been this far from home. For the first time, they must navigate a new work and living environment entirely on their own—an experience that will foster independence and maturity, shaping their future in ways beyond the classroom.

Stepping into the Workforce: A Study Trip to Sorong for the 10th Grade

For the first time, our 10th-grade students got a taste of the working world during a four-day excursion to Sorong, where they visited various companies and industries. They explored different career fields, including the hospitality sector, where they were introduced to the many departments of hotel operations. But the experience didn’t stop there—Sorong Airport, the fire department, and even Indonesia’s National Radio opened their doors, giving the students an exclusive behind-the-scenes look. A special highlight was the opportunity to record their own podcast at the radio station!

As they move into 11th grade, internships will soon become a reality for them. This trip provided a valuable first glimpse into what awaits them in the near future, helping them prepare for their own professional journeys.

Volleyball Camp in Sawinggrai with the German National Coach

In November, our school spontaneously transformed into a three-day volleyball camp after we received an incredible offer from German national coach Markus Zymmara to train our students. While vacationing in Raja Ampat, he learned about Child Aid Papua and the students' passion for volleyball—and he didn’t hesitate to get involved.

Anyone who has followed our journey knows how much volleyball means to the kids here. Jonas, who played for the Swiss national youth team, has certainly played a role in fostering their enthusiasm. But by now, volleyball has grown beyond simply following in the footsteps of their Papa Guru—it has become an integral part of school life and an important counterbalance to classroom learning. The volleyball court, built in 2024, stands as proof of how deeply the sport has taken root.

The kids gave it their all during the camp. While fun was definitely part of the experience, the training was intense and structured, covering everything from physical conditioning to tactical gameplay and team dynamics. Not only were the students thrilled, but Markus himself was deeply impressed, saying he had never coached such disciplined and motivated young players before.

From Fisherman to Conservation Advocate: Mesli, Her Father, and the Re-Shark Foundation on Channel News Asia

Since the founding of our environmental school, education has gone hand in hand with environmental conservation. One of our most recent projects involves our students in the reintegration of the endangered zebra sharks in Raja Ampat. The Re-Shark Foundation breeds these sharks to release them into the wild once they are large enough. Students from Child Aid Papua actively support the organization—about twice a month—by preparing food for the young sharks, collecting shellfish in the mangroves, and participating in the release process.

The foundation’s efforts to restore endangered shark populations have made waves—so much so that the international news channel Channel News Asia featured their work in a special report. The segment included footage of our students collecting shellfish and highlighted the inspiring story of our student, Mesli, and her father. Mesli’s father was once a shark fisherman, relying on the trade for his livelihood. However, through his daughter’s eyes and the education she received at Child Aid Papua, he gained a new understanding of the vital role sharks play in our ecosystem. His perspective shifted so profoundly that he made the life-changing decision to step away from shark fishing altogether. You can watch the full story here: Rewilding Sharks - The Final Return - CNA.

This feature holds special significance for Child Aid Papua. Not only does it bring international recognition to our work, but it also demonstrates the profound impact our education has—not just on our students but on their families, their communities, and the environment itself.

Solid Foundations: A New School Building Made Possible (only) Through Collective Effort

Progress is underway! The new school building is set to be operational by July 2025. However, the logistics and on-site implementation remain a significant challenge. Daily supervision and coordination are essential to ensure that the structure meets international standards and is built to withstand earthquakes. Without external and international support, this project would be nearly impossible to accomplish.

Regular online meetings bring together all stakeholders—often across three to four time zones. Material procurement is another crucial aspect of the construction plan. Beyond selecting the right materials, the challenge lies in figuring out how and when they can be transported to Sawinggrai. Every piece of raw material and building component must be painstakingly delivered via water routes.

Just as a solid foundation is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the new school, so is the contribution of Garett, who has been involved from day one. As the building’s architect and a dedicated volunteer, he has invested hundreds of hours into this project. Without his expertise and unwavering commitment, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank you, Garett!