Why Agats?

Agats is the capital city of the Asmat region and the poorest region in Indonesia. They are relatively isolated and geographically difficult to reach; the villages are widely spread along the riverbanks within the dense swamp and rainforest. They have limited source of food and although Asmat is covered with heavy vegetations, due to the swamp conditions, the land is not suitable for farming nor planting edible plants. Their infrastructure is very limited thus electricity and clean water sources are not available. In ”more developed areas” collecting rain water becomes the only source for clean water since they cannot find ground water (well). Most people of Asmat are not educated and do not have life skills that can help them improve their livelihood.

The Asmat community is in a transitional period; shifting from being a primitive society (all people including children would engage in obtaining food, and everyone would share in what was produced by hunting and gathering) to a modern society that is able to live permanently in one place. As a gatherer community (masyarakat peramu), their way of life influences their children education. Education is limited and often seen as unnecessary. School is not accessible for many areas, and even if school is available, teachers and learning materials are often not available. In most cases, a 13 year old child only have the skill of grade 1 elementary school.