Project Papua

HOW EVERYTHING STARTED

In November 2017 I’ve had an extraordinary chance to visit a local tribe in Ibiroma village, Baliem Valley, Papua Indonesia.

At first, I was amazed by mountains, views and traditional huts. Children were so shy and were hiding from me. Until I grabbed my instant camera and started taking pictures and giving them away. Immediately, we became friends and got this strange emotional bond.

I had enough food to share with kids, so invited them to join me, which was a big surprise for them. As later found out, those rare travelers, who visit the village never share their food. The look they gave me while I was filling their plates… Felt so emotional and started crying.

One of the children asked if I can bring a volleyball next time I come. I thought “Say whaaaatt? A volleyball”? So we started talking what else they need. Pens, cause they share 1 between 4 kids, notebooks, and other essentials. Ok, now it’s getting really interesting I thought. So told that tomorrow we would go to the town and will get some things they really need.

Next morning we left, one kid extremely anxious cause he never been outside his mountain village and never saw a civilization.

Imagine, we basically walked 12 km one way to get a volleyball and pens.

I spent just $119 and made their life a bit better.