The famous American journalist, Margaret Fuller, once said, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader,” which means that great leaders begin as great readers who spend their youth with books. However, what is the meaning of a book without the skill of reading? This is what Mama Yunne is fighting for in Papua. Even though she is already half a century old, Mama Yunne’s spirit for teaching reading and writing remains fervent.
For 12 years, Mama Yunne has set aside part of her house for a reading room. More than 30 children around Lake Sentani, Jayapura, gather at her house to learn to read, write, and even do arithmetic.
Ketinting—a boat measuring about 11 meters long—is ready next to the reading house (Mama Yunne’s house). With this boat, Mama Yunne sails across the lake to pick up the children.
Not one or two children, but 30 to 40 children wait for Mama Yunne’s arrival. At the designated point, they will be picked up by Mama Yunne to go to the reading house.
The calm waves and gentle breeze on Lake Sentani accompany Mama Yunne and the children on their journey. In about 30 minutes, they will arrive at the reading house. While steering the boat, Mama Yunne gave advice to the children. “You join the reading house for yourself, not for Mama.” Later, you can tell the people at home what you learned at the reading house,” Mama Yunne said, imitating herself while advising the children.
Mama Yunne decided to become a reading house companion because she felt her soul was called by God. For her, this role is a blessing and a form of service full of meaning. “I feel this is a calling from God given to me.” “Because I was chosen as the mother, I must continue to accompany the children here,” said Mama Yunne to GNFI, Sunday (25/5/2025).
In 2013, Mama Yunne was elected through a village meeting to accompany the reading house initiated by Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), an NGO focused on education. Not alone, Mama Yunne was accompanied by two volunteers. WVI also supports with learning modules and stationery.
Mama Yunne can be called a hero. Limitations did not make her hesitate to fight for education in Papua. For over a decade, Mama Yunne has sacrificed her energy and resources so that children can read.
Every day, the activity of picking up and dropping off the children takes a portion of Mama Yunne’s earnings. The ketinting with the outboard motor he uses requires at least 5 liters of gasoline to operate. In Papua, one liter of gasoline is priced at Rp15,000—money that Mama could use for cooking.
Mama Yunne also makes snacks, whether syrup or something else, for the children to encourage them to study. All of this she does without any help from the government. “Since 2013, I have been waiting and waiting, and until now there has been no help from the government,” said Mama Yunne.
Amidst the limitations, Mama Yunne’s dreams remain high. She wants to build her own reading house for children, right next to her home. A proposal has also been completed but has yet to receive a response. Despite the lack of government support, at least the parents still accompany Mama Yunne’s efforts. They believe that their children who study at the reading house will become smart children. The traditional leader or Ondoafi in the village where Mama Yunne lives also provides support.
After years of accompanying the reading house, Mama Yunne has become one with the children. Besides being the mother of her biological children, she is a mother to more than 30 children in Lake Sentani. Mama Yunne also advised them all to grow up to be good people. “My hope for the children in Papua is that they become good people.” Don’t be like the bad people outside. “I advise all of you to have good character,” said Mama Yunne. Mama Yunne’s hard work has paid off. The children who study at the reading house are now more fluent in reading and writing. They also become more confident, willing to stand in front of the class and lead prayers.
West Papua Now 