Papua Highlands — Amid limited access to education in Papua’s remote areas, Neas Wanimbo stands out as a young leader committed to improving literacy. Through Hano Wene—a community initiative whose name means “good news”—he has brought reading spaces and learning opportunities to children living in hard-to-reach villages.
The movement began from Neas’s personal experience growing up with a shortage of teachers and almost no reading materials. In 2018, he and several friends established community reading centers, which have since expanded across multiple villages in Yahukimo. Today, Hano Wene runs various programs, including the distribution of thousands of books through Books for Better Papua, volunteer teacher support, and the provision of school reading materials.
Bringing books into the highlands is no simple task. Difficult terrain, long walking distances, and high transportation costs are constant challenges. Yet Neas continues his mission, believing every Papuan child deserves equal access to education. His efforts have shown results: by 2024, Yahukimo recorded a significant decrease in illiteracy rates, and Hano Wene now supports 11 reading centers and hundreds of children with study materials.
Beyond literacy, Hano Wene also organizes nutritious meal programs, local-language reading lessons, and inspirational activities for young people. Although the team still struggles with limited funding and logistical constraints, Neas remains confident that collective support will strengthen educational opportunities across Papua.
With his dedication and persistence, Neas Wanimbo—recipient of the 2024 SATU Indonesia Award—continues to spark hope for children in Papua’s most remote communities.
