Nia S. Amira
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There, at the eastern end of the archipelago, children in vocational schools called Dafonsoro look happy and excited when I visited last February. They are thirsty of education and relationships with their peers from other regions and feel like getting a drop of water in the heat of Sentani’s hot weather, just 10 minutes from the airport. With an area of 225.90 km2 and a population of about 44 779 inhabitants according to the 2010 census, Sentani is a district in Jayapura, Papua Province in fact has broad opportunities for people who want to develop the area, especially young generation.
The school was built with the spirit of love for the world of eduÂÂcation as well as a sense of concern for the future of the Papua children that still seen in need of touches from people who really want to help the continuity of education. ZachaÂÂrias Yoppo (53) School Principal had once dabbled in politics turned into education when he saw many children from the mountainous arÂÂeas around Jayapura came to SenÂÂt a n i only to realize their dream to conÂÂtinue their study but no power because of poverty. Zaka, as he is usually called upon to look more Javanese than the Javanese and imÂÂpressed the people far away from the character of most Papuans.
He is the school’s motor, which he founded on the basis of love of the Papuan youth with his three best friends; Marcel The, Benny Yarisitauw and Nicodemus Imbir. Long enough lived in Yogyakarta and having many associates with various groups in Java and graduÂÂated from the University of ImÂÂmanuel Yogyakarta from faculty of Theology in 1992, Zaka understands very well that it is not as easy as it if he wants to build his native land esÂÂpecially in the field of education in his homeland, Sentani . Zaka who is also father of two children from his marriage to Cornelia Mnusefer is aware that he has to work extra hard to build relationships with various parties so that he can realize the ideal of the children of Papua and become the host in their own land.
As for his students who often fall asleep during the lessons, Zaka and his three best friends did not give any school’s sanction because they know that the children come far away from their family and work in a farmer’s field for the fulfillment of their daily food.
Zaka never shed a tear, on the contrary beÂÂhind his soft attitude he thinks like Semar, the Javanese puppet figure who always wants to protect all parties. Being at the end of the fate of his students, Zaka always prays and always thinks positively that one day if God willing, and with the support of his friends, he can build the education in Sentani to be betÂÂter again.
