Papua  is Indonesia's farthest eastern province.  Located on the western side of the island of New Guinea, Papua's flora, fauna, animal life and people groups are distinctly different from the rest of Indonesia's 13,000 islands. 

Made up of more than 600 distinct tribal groups, Papua's Melanesian people have distinctly different languages and cultures.  People from other islands in Indonesia have also come to Papua, giving it a more "melting pot" feel.

When missionaries first arrived on the shores of this island as early as the 1930s, they focused their work on the accessible coastal areas. It was only after WW II that missionaries began work in the interior highlands during the time of the Dutch occupation.  Wamena was one of these locations.

The Indonesian government is working hard at improving the province's economy, pumping millions of rupiah into each village, town and city.  However, there is still a need for more and better healthcare services as Papuans still need to move up the ranks of getting higher education, especially in the field of medicine and other service oriented vocations. 

Click here to see a map for the location of Papua, Indonesia.