Travelling computer training in Merauke – Sota village (2026)

Since 2023, the port city of Merauke has been the capital of South Papua Province. The city is growing rapidly and attracts many young people from surrounding villages who are looking for work. At the same time, the demands of the labour market are changing. For more and more jobs and opportunities, basic computer skills are essential.

That may sound self-evident, but for many young people and villagers this remains a major barrier. Without digital skills, doors stay closed. Not only in the private sector, but also in government-related jobs, where people can play an important role in shaping the living conditions of their own communities.

In 2025, this became painfully clear during the civil service entrance test. Tens of thousands of people applied, but relatively few Indigenous Papuans passed. The evaluations pointed to a problem that our partner Edoardo Mote has been raising for years: many candidates underestimate the test and are not sufficiently prepared. This led to frustration and anger among young people who had not passed. Protests even took place in Merauke, as they felt their concerns were not being heard. They asked for fairer opportunities. Yet even after the test requirements were adjusted, the results often remained too low.

That is why the team of our partner Papua Mandiri Sentosa will return in 2026 with a practical, accessible computer training in Sota. Not complicated theory, but hands-on practice with the skills participants need in daily life: creating documents in MS Word, keeping basic records, working with files and folders, and giving presentations. The training also includes digital safety, so participants better understand how to protect their personal data.

Edoardo Mote, founder of Papua Mandiri, has deliberately chosen Sota because the need for basic digital skills is high, while access to computer education remains limited. Sota is also located in an area where many young people move towards Merauke in search of work. If you cannot type, fill in a form or create a document, your chances of finding a job are very small.

With €1,800, we can make this training round possible. This amount covers transport for the team, internet and communication costs, electricity, basic facilities during the training days and modest training fees for the teachers. In this way, participants in Sota can take concrete steps towards greater independence and better opportunities for work or further education.

Would you like to contribute? You can do so via our website or by bank transfer to NL66 TRIO 0321 0888 32, in the name of Stichting Hulp aan Papua’s in Nood, stating “Opleiding Merauke – Sota”.