Project Description
Year: 2025
Amount: €2,000
Location: Kampung Wasur, Merauke
In 2023, Merauke was named the official capital of the South Papua province. Since then, the city has changed drastically. New megastores line the main road. Large hotels and modern restaurants pop up like mushrooms during the rainy season. Like in many places around the world, the city draws in young people from surrounding villages. But for youth of Papuan origin, it remains extremely difficult to secure a place in the growing job market.
As the city expands, the number of middle-class jobs also rises. Unfortunately, these positions are still largely out of reach for Papuan youth. Even when they manage to move from their village to the city, they often end up in the informal sector, working as cleaners or service staff. Yet it’s vital for Papuans to gain access to (government) jobs where they can help improve the living conditions of their communities.
One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of quality education. Not only in business, but also for government jobs, having a diploma and basic digital skills is essential. That’s why this year we’re supporting the mobile training programme of our partner, *Papua Mandiri Sentosa*.
The team travels to villages around Merauke to offer practical training in ICT and administration. They also include lessons in presentation skills and job application support.
The first training session has already taken place in Kampung Wasur, just east of Merauke. The goal is to prepare students for a meaningful place in this rapidly changing world.
The allocated budget was used to provide laptops, transport, internet, electricity, and compensation for the trainers.
Read more
From Classroom to Paid Job: Empowering Merauke’s Youth
In the past four years, over 500 young people in Merauke (South Papua) have left the Papua Mandiri Sentosa training center with a certificate in hand. Most of them are still studying. Valuable training in areas such as computer skills and English helps them perform better at university or college. About 10% of former participants are job seekers, which can be a significant challenge for young people of Papuan descent.
Internships for young Papuans Merauke
Many young Papuans do not feel at home in the Indonesian education system, which is also characterized by corruption and mismanagement. These young people are welcome in the education center of Papua Mandiri Sentosa (PMS) in Merauke.
Computer training for 150 students in Merauke: in action against digital inequality
Send in an application, prepare a school report, online banking, read the newspaper or advertise your company. Just a few examples of situations in which a computer is necessary. That is no different for Papuans than for us. But you also need skills to be able to use a computer. That is why Hapin supports various initiatives of local partners that teach Papuans the much-needed digital skills. Previously in Jayapura and the surrounding area, and now also in the southern city of Merauke. This year, more than 150 students are going to follow a course of their choice.
Education center for Papuan youth in Merauke
Imagine yourself applying for a job but never in your life even touched a computer, nor speak English or have good writing and speaking skills. Without saying the chances are that you will not stand a chance. In Papua this will be no different. Our local partner in Merauke (South Papua), Papua Mandiri Sentosa, trains as many Papuan young people as possible in these basic skills, in order for them to find a paid job or study soon. This year there is room for about 65 young people.
