Never Too Old to Learn

Year: 2025
Amount: € 2.000,-
Where: Buti, Merauke

Never Too Old to Learn:
Training for Village Residents in Buti, Merauke

Even in Papua, the effects of globalisation are being felt. In the south, a quiet crisis is growing: large-scale plantation projects are taking over land and pushing out local communities. Many Papuans — often without formal education — are falling into poverty. Housing becomes unaffordable, food prices rise, and the cycle of hardship repeats itself from one generation to the next.

That’s why our partner organisation, Papua Mandiri Sentosa, is visiting villages across the Merauke region this year to offer people new opportunities. In each village, they provide hands-on training in ICT and basic administration. The goal: giving people the skills they need to access the job market. Without training, jobs like teacher, nurse or civil servant remain out of reach.

The impact has been bigger than expected. Not only young people, but also older residents are joining in with great enthusiasm. In the village of Buti, dozens of students — both young and old — are now taking part in the training.

Lousyana shares: “I’m so happy for this opportunity. I’ve learned how to create documents on a computer and how to protect my personal information online.”

Another student, Selviana, adds: “The teachers were so patient. We’ll keep learning after this so we don’t have to depend on others and no one can take advantage of us.”

Each student needs €150 to join the programme.