Mr Lukas is a village chief whose commitment to children’s literacy goes far beyond concern. He works tirelessly to ensure that children grow up in an environment that encourages them to learn to read. For Mr Lukas, the most valuable legacy parents can leave their children is education. And one of the foundations of education is literacy.
I do not want our people to be left behind. Especially for Papuans, we must be on par with people elsewhere. For example, I can wear an official uniform today because I went to school, said Mr Lukas.
This ambitious vision underpins his dedication and perseverance in improving teachers’ skills in the village, promoting local tutors to lead Reading Houses, and encouraging parents to take a more active role in supporting their children’s literacy. In every initiative he has pursued, Wahana Visi Indonesia has been a trusted partner working alongside him.
The challenges of leading and bringing about change in the community come from many directions. For instance, Mr Lukas has had to postpone plans to build a dedicated Reading House facility in 2026 due to the reallocation of village funds.
“But there is a solution. We are working together with the Church, so a building is currently being constructed that can serve as a Reading House on weekdays and as a Sunday School venue at weekends. Religious leaders are also contributing to the construction of this building,” he explained.
In addition to infrastructure challenges, Mr Lukas also sees firsthand the struggles parents face in trying to provide the highest possible level of education for their children.
“Most people here fall within the lower economic deciles, from one to five. Financially, life is very difficult. In addition, children in primary education tend to be overlooked because families prioritise those already studying at higher levels. This is often because there are many children in one family,” he said.
This reality deeply saddens Mr Lukas. He understands that many parents are facing difficult circumstances and are sometimes forced to sacrifice the education of one or two children within the family. Yet education is not a privilege; it is every child’s right. To address this challenge, Mr Lukas has worked to secure scholarships for young people from the village who are pursuing higher education. Through this practical step, he seeks to ease the financial burden that education places on parents in his community.
“My way of thinking has changed. We must do more to support the education of our younger generation. The facilities and infrastructure we use today will eventually wear out, but knowledge endures. If we build a strong foundation from the start, it will equip them for their future. That is why literacy is so important,” said Mr Lukas with conviction.
Under Mr Lukas’s leadership, there are now 3 Reading Houses and 14 local tutors serving his village. Each week, children eagerly attend the Reading Houses to listen to stories read aloud, sing songs, play games, and most importantly, gain the confidence to read for themselves. The tutors also serve with a clear mandate through an official decree issued by the village government. This provides assurance that the Reading Houses and tutors can carry out their work effectively while receiving full support from local authorities.
Today, Mr Lukas’s care and determination have blossomed into a profound sense of pride and gratitude. He has witnessed how good intentions can become meaningful action, and how those actions can create lasting impact. Children in his village continue to enthusiastically learn to read, supported by parents, tutors, and teachers alike. Some of the older children and teenagers also faithfully return to the Reading Houses to help their younger peers discover the joy of literacy.
This leader, whose heart is devoted to advancing literacy among children in Papua, needs all of our support to ensure that what has already been achieved can continue and that his hopes for the future can become reality.
Visit mywvi.id/bacatanpabatas to learn more about how you can contribute to supporting people like Mr Lukas and strengthening literacy among children in Papua.