An Educator’s Heroic Journey to Change Gender Relations in Papua

Esteemed mythologist Joseph Campbell is famous for breaking down “The Hero’s Journey,” a template by which all heroes — from Hercules to Harry Potter — follow the same pattern: the separation, the initiation and the return.

When Nabire, Papua-born Els Tieneke Rieke Katmo decided to earn her PhD in gender studies and HIV/AIDS at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, distance and separation were never factors, and the path seems more fluid and ultimately direct — but no less heroic.

After all, Els — a professor at the State University of Papua in Manokwari, West Papua — is from a remote part of Indonesia where walking three hours to school in the morning is par for the course.

It’s more than 4,000 kilometers from Nabire to Adelaide, but distance has done little to shake the confidence of a woman who has dedicated her life to gender issues and HIV awareness.

“Suddenly my neighbor passed away because of HIV,” the 38-year-old mother of two said. “Then one-by-one my relatives and friends started passing away. The biggest problem was people still believed these deaths were caused by black magic. A lack of education of the people around me pushed me to find out more about the issue, to help people around me.”

During her undergraduate dissertation in the same university where she has taught since 2009, Els stumbled upon a number of gender issues and overall lack of education leading to the spread of HIV. “I looked closely at the use of contraception by women and realized there was a big lack of knowledge about this, which is one of the major reasons behind the spread of HIV,” Els said.

Born to a forward-thinking father from Merauke in Papua, Els knew from a young age that she and her siblings were different. School attendance was mandatory. Men and women were equal. Els learned how to ride a motorbike and mend faulty electric devices while her brothers were taught how to cook.

Most recently Els, who earned her master’s degree in gender studies from the University of Indonesia, has tackled HIV among housewives in Manokwari.

“All the projects and research I’ve been involved in, have led me to the conclusion that not only education, but also the mentality about gender and HIV have to be changed,” Els said. “This pushed me to pursue a PhD focusing on gender, the sexuality of Papuan men and women and its relation to HIV and AIDS.”

Awarded a scholarship by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), now Els is ready to take her mission to the next level.

“I strongly believe knowledge is the most important element to survival,” Els said. “After I return to Papua, I’ll collaborate with local radio to produce a program about HIV. Also, I will start a project for the economic empowerment of women and kids with HIV. The most effective way to make people understand about the topic is by giving them examples based on daily life.”

Close friend and a master’s degree candidate at the University of Adelaide Zainah Rahmiati believes it’s her friend’s deep roots and unassuming attitude that has helped her make a lasting impact on the lives of men and women in Papua.

“Els is a great person, but at the same time she’s very humble,” Zainah said. “She has great ideas to make a change in society. Papua is remote and a lack of infrastructure makes it difficult for Els to implement her changes, but she never gives up. She is an inspiration for agents of change.”

A tireless advocate of education, Els firmly believes training and proper schooling is essential to understanding and stopping the spread of HIV in Papua.

Her passion led her, together with her best friend Maria Goretti, to establish a children’s library in Edera, a tiny village 10 hours by car from Merauke.

Most children in Edera, Maria explained, are 8 years old before they can read or write properly.

“In the village where we opened the library, if you can go to church or to school it is already a blessing, let alone gain access to quality books,” Maria said. “The idea of starting to provide books to kids and teenagers came after I saw in the school where I teach the low interest children have for reading. In the library the school books are very old, some were published in the ’70s.”

Marice Aun, 12, dropped out from school after third grade because her parents could not afford to pay the fees. Because of the low quality of education, she barely learned how to read.

“I fell in love with books because of the reading garden,” Marice said. “I’m so happy to be able to read colorful and cute books, they are interesting. I want to keep studying, and when I grow up I want to become a midwife.” A midwife who can help Els explain the dangers of HIV across Papua.

“I want the next generation of Papuans to have a better future, to be healthier, smarter and to believe in themselves,” Els said. Campbell would be impressed.

Source: The Jakarta Globe

Hundreds of Papua students participate in D4L

A total of 410 students from 13 schools in Jayapura, Papua, participated in the `Dance for Life` (D4L) program on Saturday to welcome the upcoming World AIDS Day on December 1, 2012.

The caretaker of the Papua chapter of Indonesia Family Planning Association (PKBI) and the manager of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights program, Robby T, said that the D4L program was organised by the PKBI, in collaboration with the Papua Youth Forum, World Population Forum, the provincial health department and the UNICEF.

Robby noted that the main objective of the D4L program is to control the spread of HIV and AIDS in Papua, and to increase the local community`s awareness of the dangers of these lethal diseases.

Furthermore, he said that during the D4L program, students performed creative dances and took part in a paining competition on HIV and AIDS, to make the local community aware of the deadly diseases.

Meanwhile, Andre Susanto said that the aim of the World Population Forum in Papua is to increase the students’ awareness of the dangers of HIV and AIDS.

“Through the D4L program, we want to give students and teenagers as much information as possible about HIV, AIDS and reproductive health, so that they can share this knowledge with their friends,” he stated.

Source: ANTARA News

U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel Visits Papua

The U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel

U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel visits Jayapura on November 5-6 to meet with government officials and community leaders.

Ambassador Marciel’s visit to Papua highlights the United States’ commitment to working across Indonesia to support increased cooperation under the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership. The United States sees Papua as an integral part of Indonesia and supports progress toward increased economic opportunity and development of local political and civil institutions.

During the visit, the Ambassador will highlight new and existing U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs that support growth and development for the people of Papua. These programs expand on the U.S. government’s continuing commitment to support development in the region.

Ambassador Marciel met with the Head of Department of Education, Youth and Sport Affairs for Papua, Dr. James Modouw, to discuss the roll out of a new education curriculum for more than 32,000 students in 355 schools across 6 districts.

“A Papua specific curriculum will help inspire Papuan children to learn and will also reflect the profound respect we have for Papua’s rich culture,” said Ambassador Marciel.

The $2.8 million grant from the United States will help the provincial Department of Education to refine, print and distribute the new curriculum, as well as conduct training for teachers.

Under the USAID SERASI program, USAID partners with Yayasan Kristen Wamena Teacher Training Institute to develop curricula in Math and Bahasa Indonesia for first and second graders that are adapted to local culture and meet or surpass national standards.

The Provincial Government of Papua will use the Papua-specific curriculum in remote areas, particularly the broader highland area. Five highland districts and other organizations that work in non-formal or parallel education system will adopt the curriculum.

During his meetings in Papua Ambassador Marciel also discussed other U.S. assistance initiatives in health, environment, economic development, and governance.

The United States is providing $1.5 million in support through a new USAID program that will reduce deforestation, preserve biodiversity, and increase income for Papuans by promoting sustainable management of the Cyclops mountain range.

Ambassador Marciel said, “The United States is proud to partner with the Papua Provincial Government Low Carbon Development Taskforce and local governments and communities to reduce deforestation in the Cyclops mountain range and preserve it for future generations.”

The USAID program will partner with local governments, businesses, and communities to promote renewable biomass energy as an alternative to cutting down trees to be converted to charcoal. The program will be including plant trees and rehabilitate areas that are essential to the health of the Cyclops mountain range and provide water supply for the city of Jayapura.

In addition, the program will convene forums in local communities to educate citizens, local governments, the private sector, and NGOs on strategies to improve the management of natural resources.

The USAID program in the Cyclops Mountains will help Papua fulfill its commitment and contribute to REDD+, a global initiative to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

USAID is also working with local governments in Papua to finalize a new health governance program to support improvements in the quality of public health service in several districts.

The program plans to target improving service delivery in the areas of maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. This initiative will utilize the lessons from successful USAID efforts in other Indonesian provinces that have improved the quality, effectiveness, and reliability of public services.

Source: Tempointeraktif

Bush Broadcaster Keeps Remote Papuans Connected

West Papuan radio presenter Kathe Vince Dimara is a firm believer in the power of information.

Kathe was born and raised in Kurima, in the isolated district of Yahukimo in central Papua, where about 50 percent of the population of nearly 11,000 is illiterate.

With almost no communication infrastructure available, Yahukimo’s geographical landscape, mainly made up of mountains and rivers, makes it difficult to get information to residents.

Kathe was among the few residents of her village to receive a formal education, and even more unusually, went on to study communications at university in Jayapura.

Kathe took a job as a reporter and announcer for Pikon Ane, a community radio station that provides information to the residents of Yahukimo.

Pikon Ane, or “the sound of Pikon” (a traditional musical instrument made of bamboo), was established in 2007 by radio news agency KBR68H and PPMN, a media development association, with funding from the Media Development Loan Fund.

During the launch of the station, as many as 500 radio sets were distributed among 52 subdistricts. This was a breakthrough for a remote region such as Yahukimo, Kathe said.

“People were very happy when we had a radio station built in the area. They would gather together to listen to the information on the radio,” she said. “They were even willing to save money to buy their own radios so they could tune in at home with their family. They have become more aware of the importance of information in their lives.”

Pikon Ane’s programs range from entertainment to news, talk shows and community service advertisements. The local news is collected by the station’s reporters, while national news is taken from prerecorded materials from Jakarta, the Internet and national newspapers.

“Information on what is happening in Jakarta, for example, is received late by us, but it is still worth listening to,” Kathe said. “It is great to see how people in our region are enthusiastic, longing for information. Despite their limitations, they want to change their lives for the better.”

Four months after Pikon Ane started airing, however, it suddenly stopped. Residents were so disappointed, and they started to come to the radio station to ask for the programs to be put back on the air.

“It was not easy at that time, because we were used to having someone to direct us,” Kathe said.

About eight months later, Kathe was asked to relaunch the station, taking charge of both the management and programs. She now works not only as the station’s director but also as a reporter and announcer for Pikon Ane.

“It was as if we had to start from the very beginning, because we wanted to start a new chapter,” she said.

Today, Pikon Ane airs from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., serving more than 70,000 listeners around Yahukimo. The talk shows cover a variety of topics, including health, education and the environment, with a particular emphasis on farming, Kathe said.

She brainstorms ideas for topics to be covered based on what she sees in the everyday lives of the people in Yahukimo. When she sees an issues that she believes deserves attention, she will invite people with knowledge of the subject to appear on a talk show. Guests include people from government institutions.

“We talk about topics ranging from things often take for granted, like the importance of washing your hands to techniques on how to have a better harvest, and from the price of vegetables in the market to the spread of HIV/AIDS. This is the kind of information that people need,” Kathe said.

She said more people in the district were now going to community health centers for regular check-ups, which she credited to the effect of the station.

As for education, Pikon Ane has also helped reopen a number of schools that had been left idle for some time.

“Once we had a talk about a school in one area that had no teachers. It turned out that there were also other schools with similar problems,” Kathe said. “We heard about it from listeners who came to the radio station and asked for the information to be broadcast.”

Farmers also benefit from broadcasts on farming techniques, broadening the varieties of vegetables they grow, which can diversify their incomes.

The work of Kathe and her team has not gone unnoticed. The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) recently recognized her achievements by awarding her the S. K. Trimurti Award for female reporters and activists.

But Kathe said her work was not over yet, as there were plenty more that still needed to be done in empowering the people of Yahukimo .

“Human resources are a big challenge, especially for radio stations looking for people to carry on the work in the future,” she said. “I want to provide training for local high school graduates to become reporters. One of my dreams is to see this radio station grow by empowering local young people.”

Kathe said that she had little time for her personal life, with most of her waking hours devoted to Pikon Ane, but she’s not complaining. “I was born and raised here in Kurima. I feel that I owe something to the land and this is all I can give back,” she said.

“My dream is to see the people of Papua live a better life.”

Source: the Jakarta Globe

Papuan journalist gets AJI award

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) gave the SK Trimurti award to a radio journalist on Friday (8/7) for her service to Papua’s remote Yahukimo regency.

Kathe Vince Dimara, director of the Pikon Ane community radio station,was praised for, among other things, using radio to promote economic development in remote areas of the regency.

For example, the station would broadcast the standard price of commodities to its 70,000 listeners, allowing local residents to take better advantage of the market. Kathe also broadcast programming on public health, warning people about the risk of HIV/AIDS.

AJI chief Nezar Patria said he hoped the award, named after Indonesia’s first woman journalist, Soerastri Karma Trimurti, would inspire journalists to emulate Kathe and use the power of the press to improve the lives of the people.

Source: The Jakarta Post

Australia supports efforts in developing Papua and West Papua provinces

Australia’s commitment to supporting the development in Papua and West Papua provinces was further strengthened this week by visiting Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Greg Moriarty.

Mr Moriarty witnessed a signing, between Papua Governor, Mr. Barnabas Suebu, and West Papua Governor, Mr. Abraham O. Atururi, for a new Australian government-funded program to improve health, education and infrastructure in the two provinces.

“This new program shows Australia’s continued commitment to support the development in the most-eastern Indonesia’s provinces,” said Mr. Moriarty. “We are working with the Indonesian Government, the provincial governments and local governments to achieve lasting development in both the Papua and West Papua provinces,” said Mr. Moriarty.

The Ambassador visited Yowari hospital and a nearby health centre, where the Australian Government is working to improve care and treatment for people with HIV/AIDS.

“HIV prevention and adequate healthcare for those living with HIV/AIDS in Papua and West Papua provinces has become a key focus for Australia as reported cases in the region are above the national Indonesian average,” said Mr. Moriarty.

The Ambassador also met teachers and students at Maripi Primary School, which is now providing a quality education as a result of Australia’s development assistance.

“There are many challenges to improving education quality in Papua and West Papua provinces, including diverse geography, low population density and the remoteness of villages,” said Mr. Moriarty.

“Australia is pleased to be working with UNICEF to support education in Papua and West Papua provinces. This education program gives children in some of the poorest and most remote areas the opportunity to receive quality schooling,” said Mr Moriarty.

The Ambassador also visited rural communities to view the work of local facilitators supported by Australian Government assistance through the PNPM RESPEK program. These facilitators help communities identify priority issues and build basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges and wells. Australia will provide an estimated A$17 million in development assistance to the provinces in 2010-11.(wpnn)

Indonesian seafarers blame foreign fishing crews for spread of AIDs in Papua and Maluku

It is increasing number of locals contracting HIV/AIDS from foreign sailors stopping at fishing ports in the region.

Indonesian seafarers have lambasted the Government for its failure to control the operation of foreign fishing vessels, which they say has contributed to a surge in HIV/AIDS in Papua and Maluku.

The Indonesian Seafarers’ Association, which recently conducted a study on the fishing industry in the region, says the presence of foreign fishing vessels is out of control.

It says this is not only causing only financial losses but also a health disaster, with an increasing number of locals contracting HIV/AIDS from foreign sailors stopping at fishing ports in the region.

The Association says the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and the Navy are unable to control the foreign fishing vessels, especially those fishing illegally.

It says their study shows the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases is in port towns.

Official statistics show HIV/AIDS cases have been increasing throughout Indonesia, with at least 300,000 people reportedly living with HIV/AIDS at present, but the true figure may be much higher.

Source: Radio New Zealand International

US helps RI in HIV/AIDS prevention program

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched today a new five year HIV/AIDS prevention program.

The project, entitled Scaling Up for Most-at-risk Populations, is part of a US$35 million effort from the US Government to assist the Indonesian government in curbing HIV/AIDS transmission. A second project focused on NGO capacity building for HIV/AIDS is also anticipated to be awarded.

The two projects will work in combination and in partnership with the Indonesian government under the umbrella of the National Strategic Action Plan for HIV/AIDS 2010-2014.

Project efforts will center on eight provinces: West Java, Central Java, East Java, Riau, North Sumatra, Papua and West Papua, and Jakarta.

Source: The Jakarta Post