The Staff's Story: My Heart Is Anchored in Papua

Beautiful nature is not the main reason why Marthen Sambo's heart is anchored in Papua. His love for children and also his anxiety about limited education were the first reason that kept him from serving the Papua region.

Marthen (33) is one of the hundreds of WVI staff who are fortunate to work according to their calling. Papua is an area that he dreams of working with so that the universe helps him to return to this area after experiencing service in East Sumba with WVI.

As a millennial generation, Marthen started his career as a contract teacher in Pegunungan Tengah, Papua. Since he was in college, he has had the desire to dedicate the knowledge to people in disadvantaged areas, especially in terms of teaching and education. Until one day, in 2012, the Education Specialist Zonal Papua of WVI, who started his career at WVI as a Management Trainee, got the opportunity to return to work for the education of children in Papua.

"I believe that through education all children can get the opportunity to develop their maximum potential to achieve a bright future and be free from all disadvantages," said the father of three.

During his 9 years working in the Papua area, Marthen sees the transformation does happen in Papua. His heart was joyful when he knew that the service he was doing with WVI had an impact on the children and the community.

"For example, children who dropped out of school in the Pegunungan Tengah area who has been coached at the Asrama Mandiri eventually continue their studies again. The reading house tutors, who were initially trained for a week on literacy and the reading house curriculum, have now become facilitators in other villages, and have even received awards for the reading houses that they accompany," Marthen explained.

For him, working with WVI provides positive changes, not only for the community but also for himself. An organizational culture that is based on acts of love and upheld family values makes Marthen comfortable in serving with WVI. He added, “Working in an agile system indirectly influences me not to be a rigid and difficult person. However, on the other hand, I was able to adapt quickly to be able to keep up with such rapid developments."

The children and the people in Papua continue to feel proof of Marthen's work. By initiating a Radio Learning Program in collaboration with Radio Republik Indonesia of Wamena collaborates with Jayawijaya District Education Office during the Covid-19 pandemic, Martin got the appreciation as one of the best WVI staff in 2019-2020.  This educational project has even received an award from the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA) at the end of August 2020.  

The lack of literacy among children in Papua who reach below 50% moved Marthen's heart to move even more during the pandemic. Parents who are confused about their children's education due to the lack of internet access and closed schools have brought Marthen and his team to continue trying to provide the best for education in Papua.

"I hope there will be no more children who cannot read, and who can read, not only fluently but they able to understand the reading ... Also the parents can encourage their children to still have the best time to learn," hope Marthen.

Written by: Putri ianne Barus, Communications Officer Wahana Visi Indonesia

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