PT Freeport Indonesia

‘Sampari the Bird-of-Paradise’ Teaching Papuan Children the Importance of Literacy from an Early Age

12 September 2024

Timika, 12 September 2024 – PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) consistently demonstrates a commitment to developing and advancing human resources in Papua. For one, it is encouraging primary and middle school children in Timika to love the world of literacy early on through the activity named “Sampari ke Sekolah, Giat Dongeng Kearifan Lokal” (Sampari Goes to School, Enthusiastically Narrates Local Wisdom Stories)” conducted in the Sekolah Asrama Taruna Papua (SATP) boarding school.

“This educational activity is one of PTFI’s sustainability-related endeavors aimed at boosting capacity development for the younger generations in Papua. This activity instilling enthusiasm for literacy from an early age is by way of a long-term social investment aimed at generating generations of smart, healthy, and self-reliant Papuans, towards achieving the goal of a Golden Indonesia,” PTFI Senior Vice President for Community Development Nathan Kum conveyed during the opening of the Vibrant Local Wisdom-Based Story-Telling event taking place at SATP in Timika City, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province, on Wednesday (11/9/2024).

Nathan Kum added literacy and sustainable development go hand in hand. The "Sampari Goes to School" program is sponsored by PTFI in conjunction with its partners. This activity is one of the endeavors made in achieving the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG/TPB) of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, in alignment with the national development program.

110 primary and middle school children from SATP and 19 lower middle schools in Timika participated in the "Sampari Goes to School" activity with the author of the book "Sampari si Cenderawasih" (Sampari the Bird of Paradise) Michael Jakaramilena attending and narrating educative stories about how Sampari influences the ecosystem, under the Sampari philosophy Papuan society adheres to. He called on the children to become involved in the conservation of the bird-of-paradise as well as other Papuan flora and fauna and engaged them in sing-alongs

“As a native Papuan, I am called upon to make contributions for the younger generations of Papuans. During this visit, I observed the exceptional enthusiasm and initiative the children have for learning. They heeded and took to heart the stories told, and wrote their own, and joyfully played together. I am hopeful that through “Sampari Goes to School”, a love for literacy can be instilled from an early age by means of an enjoyable experience,” Michael said.

Tokoh utama dalam buku ini adalah burung Cenderawasih merah, bernama ‘Sampari’. Michael menulis buku tentang “Sampari si Cenderawasih” bersama Floranesia Lantang agar anak-anak Papua mengenal dan melestarikan satwa Papua sekaligus mengajarkan kepada anak-anak untuk mencintai alam dan lingkungan Papua. Terdapat 12 jenis cenderawasih yang menjadi karakter dalam buku setebal 32 halaman ini. The main character in the book is a red bird-of-paradise or Cenderawasih named 'Sampari'. Michael coauthored the "Sampari si Cenderawasih" book with Floranesia Lantang to instill in Papuan children a love for Papuan nature and environment. 12 bird-of-paradise species are featured as characters in the 32-page book.

He was unexpectedly inspired to write the Sampari si Cenderawasih book while narrating stories to his own children. “There was something missing, my children needed to learn more about the nature and environment of my native land (Papua), and that could be achieved through storytelling. It was then that I conceived the idea of writing about the Cenderawasih so that my children and other Papuan children would get to know about their legacy of nature and culture as Papuans,” Miki recounted.

SATP Principal Johana M.M Tnunay says the "Sampari Goes to School" activity is highly beneficial for children, in particular in increasing their writing, storytelling, and analytical skills. “Miki is a role model for the children, and he inspires them to strive for accomplishments and make contributions for Papua,” she said.

SATP, which has earned Class A Accreditation (for excellence) status, is a boarding school with 1,219 children currently studying at the school at the primary and middle school levels, who are from the indigenous Amungme and Kamoro tribes, as well as the other five kindred tribes residing near the PTFI operating area. SATP was built and established by the Amungme and Kamoro Community Empowerment Foundation YPMAK and is run by the Timika branch of the foundation Yayasan Pendidikan Lokon (YPL) and is funded through the PTFI partnership fund.

PHOTO	CAPTION
	Miki Jakaramilena took a photo with the children at Sekolah Asrama Taruna Papua (SATP). In this occasion, during he called children to sing and storytelling through the narrative "Sampari Si Cenderawasih."
	Nathan Kum, Senior Vice President of Community Development at PT Freeport Indonesia, officially opened the Sampari ke Sekolah, Giat Dongeng Kearifan Lokal (Sampari Goes to School, Enthusiastically Narrates Local Wisdom Stories) event held at Sekolah Asrama Taruna Papua (SATP) in Timika on September 11.
	Female students from Sekolah Asrama Taruna Papua (SATP) participated in a creative writing exercise as part of the "Find The Object" activity, held during the Sampari ke Sekolah, Giat Dongeng Kearifan Lokal (Sampari Goes to School, Enthusiastically Narrates Local Wisdom Stories) event at SATP, Timika, on September 11.
	Several participants of the Sampari ke Sekolah, Giat Dongeng Kearifan Lokal (Sampari Goes to School, Enthusiastically Narrates Local Wisdom Stories) event created stories based on their experiences in the "Find The Object" activity, held at Sekolah Asrama Taruna Papua (SATP), Timika, on September 11.
	Miki Jakaramilena sang with the children of Sekolah Asrama Taruna Papua (SATP) during the Sampari ke Sekolah, Giat Dongeng Kearifan Lokal (Sampari Goes to School, Enthusiastically Narrates Local Wisdom Stories) event, held in Timika on September 11.