Overcoming Natural Challenges in Erosaman, MoSA Builds Internet Network for Distance Teaching

AGATS (25 March 2022) - Dozens of residents of Erosaman Village, Der Komour District warmly welcomed the arrival of the Minister of Social Affairs (MoSA) Tri Rismaharini. They gathered and watched the Minister giving directions to staff regarding empowerment programs for the local community.

Thursday (25/03), MoSA again greeted the residents of Erosaman, after her visit in November 2021 handing over various assistance. On arrival, the Minister greeted dozens of residents from Erosaman Village and from neighboring villages who had gathered.

"Good morning, papas and mamas. Do you have something to tell me? What kind of help do you want? Come on, tell me? Mamas, what do you want?" said the Minister, opening the conversation.

Hearing the MoSA statement, the residents initially seemed silent. But after a while, they began to voice their wishes. Their requests varied, ranging from asking for shovels, hoes, sickles, electrical connections to fiber and educational infrastructure. When residents shouted asking for "fiber", the Minister was confused and asked the staff.

It was later discovered that this was a boat made of fiberglass. After negotiating for a while, the MoSA granted the request. As for educational infrastructure, residents asked educators to come to their village to complete a stilt house that functions as a community center.

The resident stated that the residents of Erosaman and its surroundings were enthusiastic and ready to learn, especially for children at the preschool level. However, during this time, there was no teacher. While elsewhere, he heard the advantages of teachers. "So we fought with each other and got a teacher," said the resident.

Paying attention to this explanation, the MoSA asked the resident not to fight. She stated that fighting did not solve the problem. It will hurt all parties. Moreover, if someone dies the children will lose their father's love and source of livelihood.

"You mustn't fight. In today's era, teachers don't have to come to school. There should be no direct meeting with the teacher. Later, I'll put the television on here which connects to the internet. So teachers can teach kids here remotely. I'll teach you later from Jakarta," said the Minister.

In Erosaman, the Minister monitored the implementation of the assistance that had been handed over in November 2021. At that time, she distributed various assistance. There were necessities, magnetic generators, computers, laying hens farms, longboats, assistance for residents of Remote Indigenous Communities, etc.

The Minister also identified other needs not only for Erosaman but also for Amagais, the farthest village. In Amagais, the Minister propagated catfish seeds and laid the first stone for water purification.

The Minister stated to the local community that water purification is a solution for providing clean water for residents. "Papa and mama later don't have to depend on rainwater. Once cleared, the water is drinkable. So you don't have to fight each other," said the Minister.

The MoSA was present accompanied by Bishop Agats Mgr Aloysius Murwito, Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto, Special Staff to the Minister, and Regent of Agats Elisa Kambu. The Minister landed at Ewer Agats Airport from a working visit in Sarmi and Jayapura Regencies, Papua Province.

In Agats, apart from Erosaman and Amagais villages, the social empowerment program involved the Agats Diocese, the Asmat Regency Government, and the administrators of the An-Nur Mosque. The assistance provided was in the form of one unit of water desalination machine, one package of solar cells, cultivation of laying hens, vegetable seeds, fruit seeds, catfish seeds, agricultural and fishery cultivation. There were also two units of water desalination machines and two solar cell packages for the regency government and An-Nur Mosque.

The assistance from the Minister of Social Affairs for the Agats Diocese is Rp. 7,616,560,000, for the Asmat Regency Government, Rp. 1,301,340,000, and the administrators of the An-Nur Mosque, Rp. 945,580,000.