The Wondama Regency Government will immediately revitalize the Aitumeiri religious site

The government of Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua will immediately revitalize or rebuild the Aitumeiri religious site in Miei, Wasior District.

Teluk Wondama Regent Hendrik Mambor who is also the General Chair of the Aitumeri Site Development and Development Committee in Wasior, Monday, said that the plan to restructure the site had been designed for quite a long time, going through a long process.

Therefore, he said, it is time for the site that keeps the history of the birth of a new civilization of indigenous Papuans to be built and rearranged to save the buildings and items left by the missionaries which are evidence of the history of the Gospel in Papua.

"We must be determined to rebuild the Aitumeiri site and this year we will start. We hope that there will be support from all parties so that we are targeting that in 2027 the synod chairman (GKI Synod in Papua) can inaugurate it," said Mambor.

He explained that for the initial stage, construction was focused on the core zone, especially the former residence of Pastor Isaac Samuel Kijne.

In addition, improvements were made to the kitchen and dining room that were used by students at the first formal school built by Kijne on Aitumieri Hill.

The Regent of Mambor wants the buildings to be rebuilt to their original condition.

"For the overall arrangement, according to our revised master plan, we need Rp. 166 billion. Currently, there is Rp. 16 billion that has been included in the DAK of the Tourism Office, which we will start construction next year. For this year, we will start with costs from APBD," said the former Head of the Wondama Bappeda.

He invited all parties from various backgrounds to participate and contribute to the rebuilding of the Aitumeiri site, because Aitumeiri is a historic site belonging to all Papuans.

"We hope for the support of all parties because Aitumeiri belongs to the church but also belongs to all who are on this Papuan land," said the number one person in Wondama.
 
The Deputy Secretary of the GKI Synod Working Body in Papua, Reverend Handry Kakiay, said Aitumeiri is a historic asset not only for the GKI but also for all Papuans.

According to him, there are three main values owned by the Aitumeiri site, namely history, spirituality, and economy.

"So let's push, we support, we pray for this road construction. Because this will not only be an asset for us, but Indonesia and the world will all come to see this site," he said.

The inauguration of the Aitumeiri Historical Site Development and Development Committee took place last week at the GKI Baitesda Manggurai Church, Wasior.

The formation of the committee was based on the Decree of the Working Body for the Synod of the Evangelical Christian Church in Papua.

SOURCE: https://papuabarat.antaranews.com/berita/19741/pemkab-wondama-segera-revitalization-site-religi-aitumeiri