Eight students and five staff from Skow Primary School in Jayapura’s Papua Province in Indonesia, were the first to visit Vanimo Primary in what is believed to be the first ever International Student Exchange between the two border provinces.
The visit is the start of many to come.
It’s all about creating lasting relationships. Despite the language barrier, the international students were greeted with smiles and handshakes. Moments later, they were already mingling with their news friends.
The bilateral relationships that exist between PNG and Indonesia dates back to the 18th century, the political and economic relationship today, is now more solid than before.
However, at a student to student level, this is the first of kind. The launch of the Vanimo Jogging club has created the avenue for students to learn more about the history, politics and economy of the two countries.
The exchange program had a positive impact on the students. The Indonesian Consul in Vanimo Jarharph Gultom, will working with the Headmaster of Vanimo primary to organize a trip for the students in Vanimo Primary to visit their sister school in Jayapura next month.
One of the main things the Consul will be looking into is to facilitate the teaching of Bahasa Indonesia to students in primary schools in Vanimo.
The international students then departed for Jayapura by sea as the land border remains closed
https://youtube.com/watch?v=w6Iof7prnz0%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
