Abstract:

Many of us know that West Papua is fighting for independence - but what else goes on there? How often do we hear directly from the Papuans themselves about life in Indonesia's most secretive province? EngageMedia's Papuan Voices project is a combination of empowerment and production. EngageMedia collaborated with advocacy groups in Jayapura and Merauke to teach Papuan activists new video production and distribution skills so that they have the means to tell their own stroies to the world. The videos include "Love Letter To A Soldier" - a moving missive from a Papuan woman to an Indonesian soldier who was once based in her village on the PNG - Indonesian border. Theirs was a controversial relationship but she begs him to return to meet their three-year-old daughter: "I will continue to wait for you, Smasul. I don't care what people say."