Sorong, Ekuatorial – Once a tuna fishing vessel, Kalabia have sailed to at least 130 villages of Raja Ampat coastal areas to serve as a floating environmental education program for kids will be available for Seget of Sorong district, said an official on Tuesday (17/3), in Seget.
Launched in 2008, the 32-meters long and 121 Gross Tons ship was modified for educational purposes and equipped with meeting hall, library, and audio visual studio.
Its objective is to provide environmental education for children living in coastal and remote areas of Papua.
“Sailing while learning about the environment must be supported by all parties because children are asset for local development. If they can protect the nature, especially its sea, then undoubtedly seas of Sorong district will remain sustainable,” said Abdul Gani Malagapi, assistant II of Sorong district, in Seget.
Kiki Arsela, a school teacher of YPK Emil Seget, said that different education system will be fun for children.
“There are new experiences that can be obtained from Kalabia, so it can become motivation when studying in the classroom,” Arsela said.
Meanwhile, Albert Nebore, adviser of Indonesian Kalabia Foundation, said that children will be introduced to different marine ecosystems. “Initially, we only introduce three marine ecosystem, which are mangrove, sea-grass, and coral reefs,” said Nebore. “However, we have our own educational module for Kalabia.” Niken Proboretno