Our native country West Papua, the former Dutch New Guinea, had to be surrendered by the Netherlands to the Indonesian Republic on the first of May 1963, due to international pressure. We were forced to accept this international compromise, a fact that caused our people a lot of sorrow. The Papua people were pressurised to give up their land to the flood of Indonesians overrunning their country. Hundreds of thousands Papua’s disappeared in an illegal manner. The 15.000 Papua refugees staying in camps in Papua New Guinea are the living proof of the unjustifiable practice that has been taking place the last 27 years. There is an eye catching difference between the social-economical life of the original inhabitants, the Papua’s, and the people coming from outside, amongst which transmigrates.

The Foundation USAHA DANA TABAM RAMU (RELIEF FUND FOR OUR NATIVE COUNTRY) was founded, by a group of Papua’s living in the Netherlands, on the seventh of June 1988 in the presence of notary W.J.G. Omloo in Nieuwegein (Netherlands). The Foundation was registered at the Chamber of Commerce under number S. 183068.

The Foundation was officially legalised by deed of the notary, but the fund raising activity already took place under the auspices of the Foundation “Papua Sociaal Cultureel Nieuwegein”, developed by S. Asmuruf (treasurer of this Foundation since 1981).

The Foundation tries to raise funds and means of existence in order to:

§ help financing the costs of education of needy Papua children;

§ support evangelists working in the most remote places of West Papua;

§ support social activities of local Papua’s;

§ support the thousands of Papua refugees who managed to reach Papua New Guinea.

The Foundation activities are exclusively social-humanitarian; there is no political goal. We would like to help the Papua people to become socially and economically independent and to prevent that their general education lags behind those of the immigrants flooding West Papua.

Achieved help:

§ the donation of 5000 Dutch guilders to Papua refugees in Papua New Guinea;

§ distribution of 15 carton packages with clothing (postage costs 750 Dutch guilders);

§ a contribution of 300 Dutch guilders to the grant of 5 students attending the Theological University of Jayapura.

The help of the Dutch Community.

There are thousands of Papua people in much need of our help. Alone we are not capable of relieving all these peoples needs. For this purpose we appeal to the Dutch community for help and donations. We do believe and are convinced that a lot of Dutch people have feelings in their harts for the Papua population. The Papua people really need your help. We will take care that those who need help most immediately will receive every donation made. There are no reasons for us to hold on to your contributions while thousands of Papua’s are suffering and need immediate help. If you are willing to help your donation can be made in to our bank account.

Newsletter:

The foundation will publish a Newsletter “TABAM RAMU” (OUR NATIVE COUNTRY) every three months to inform you about the Foundations activities and to give account of our financial situation.

We thank you in advance for your help and donations in order to relieve the suffering of the Papua population.