thelandofpapua.com– Maria Jochu is an exceptional woman from Papua who graduated from the Institute of Home Affairs (IPDN) in Gurabesi, Jayapura.
Despite receiving numerous job offers from Indonesian and foreign companies after completing her Human Resources education at Marshall University in the United States, with a Master’s scholarship from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP), Maria returned to her hometown in Papua.
She is now serving as the Village Head in Gurabesi on the northern coast of Jayapura, determined to empower her community. Maria’s journey to success is rooted in her low-income family background.
As the youngest of eight children, she was persistent in pursuing higher education to improve her family’s economic conditions while also contributing to the development of her native village.
Maria believes in the importance of witnessing and feeling the developments and changes happening in Papua to be able to help change them.
She emphasizes her dedication to participating in positive transformation in her region, which is why she decided to become the Village Head of Gurabesi. Her role involves administrative management and direct efforts to develop the local community.
However, Maria’s ambitions do not stop there. She dreams of establishing a foundation focused on empowering Papuan women, providing training and support to help them become more independent and able to compete in various sectors.
Maria’s decision to return home and make a real contribution to her community reflects the spirit of change needed in remote areas.
Her success story has inspired young Papuan men and women to pursue personal careers and develop their region. With her higher educational background and extensive experience, Maria shows that development does not always have to come from outside.
Instead, regional youth with a strong commitment to change can also emerge and make a difference. Her enthusiasm inspires every individual, regardless of background, to become an agent of positive change for their community.
