Education with dormitory pattern is actually a follow-up of what missionaries had been carried out in the past, and the result was ‘well-educated Papuanese’. Thus this is a solution for a problem that seems ‘common’ – the fact that elementary graduates still cannot read, write and count. The Baliem Dormitory School has a vision to become a model and an ideala school in all Jayawijaya regency, with purpose to educate and empower children of Jayawijaya by active learning. The education system is based on the school curriculum, environment (social, culture, economy and technology) and with orientation on life-skill education.

At the school year of 2007/2008 there were 161 children in elementary level taught by 11 teachers. These children are from different tribes who liave in Baliem Valley.

It’s definitely not easy to educate and guide these children with cultural background that tends to be rather undeveloped, but with spirit and persistence hence it is possible that one day, as a result from dormitory education pattern, will arise a new generation of young Papua people who are able to develop their own place.

It has already seen a result. A young girl grade 5 (10 years old) was selected to represent her school and theh Wamena City to participate in a Physics Olympic in Jakarta. She’s the first kid of Baliem Valley who came to Jakarta to take part in this large scaled of scientific competition event. “I wish to be a scientis,” said Wenda after she got back home. And you know, that is still a rare statement in Papua!

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