As Far as Yoke Reaches
"In the past, for my parents, when children finished school, they stayed at home. Other activities outside of school were not considered important," said Yokbet Merauje (23). "In the past, my father did not agree with the activities that WVI was doing for children." This young woman, familiarly called Yoke, is one of the sponsored children by Wahana Visi Indonesia when it was still implementing programs in the Jayapura area (Port Numbay Area Development Program).
Around 2005-2006, little Yoke only had to walk from her house to the children's playground and reading house that WVI facilitated. Because of the proximity, she spent most of her days playing and learning in the area. She was delighted because many educational games and books filled his days after school.
As a teenager, Yoke remembers how happy and helpful she felt when WVI facilitated a computer course. "At that time, I was pleased to be able to join the computer course. This course was also beneficial for me. My teachers at school used to doubt me when I had to do computer assignments. But I could do it because I took the course outside school," she said. In addition, Yoke is also involved in children's forum activities. In this activity, Yoke encountered leadership materials and organizational skills.
"For me, what I have gained from WVI's activities has first impacted my own family," she said. Parental approval, which was very difficult for her to obtain, was finally achieved. Yoke managed to change the views of her parents, who used to find it challenging to give space for children to do activities, and work, let alone have a voice. However, having already experienced and proven how she developed into an active, creative teenager who could impact other children, Yoke continued to try to be a change-maker for her own family. Her efforts paid off when her parents realized that their youngest child was becoming a light to her surroundings. "Now my parents, especially my father, no longer forbid their children or grandchildren to do activities. They support us so we can develop as best as possible," said Yoke.
Yoke as the Miss Agrotourism Indonesia 2021 in her home
Today, this student of the Universitas Terbuka's Faculty of Communication Sciences in Jayapura positively influences her family and the wider community. In 2019, Yoke was the Mon Port Numbay, also known as Princess Tourism of Port Numbay. Despite growing up as a tomboy, she wanted to challenge herself, competing with fellow Papuans. Yoke proofed it with the following title obtained in 2021. She succeeded in becoming Miss Agrotourism Indonesia. "I, who couldn't draw eyebrows before, had to learn how to dress up. I had to learn manners and everything related to an event like this. But when I succeeded, I am grateful to be given this opportunity because it turns out that from here, I can provide more inspiration, especially for children and women in Papua,".
When she was 17 years old, Yoke set aside her pocket money to buy books for young children in her neighborhood. When she was 23, Yoke still had the same passion but a different path. Growing up in a conservative family, Yoke fought for her voice as a child. Growing up, Yoke fought for her voice as an inspiration to women. With a myriad of achievements and accomplishments, Yokbet Merauje is still a person with a mission: "I want to show, especially to Papuan women, that we can lead, we can speak up, we can explore whatever abilities within us. We can show our best to everyone and bring ourselves to be a better version of our previous selves,".
Written by: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)
