Surat Cinta Kepada Sang Prada (Love Letter to the Soldier)

A letter from a Papuan woman to an Indonesian soldier who was once based in her village on the PNG-Indonesian border. Theirs was a controversial relationship but she begs him to return to meet their three-year-old daughter: "I will continue to wait for you, Samsul. I don't care what people say."

'Love Letter to the Soldier'

Dear Samsul,

I have written two letters to you but you never replied.

Hopefully, through this video letter, you will see your daughter and be moved to respond.

I brought this video letter from Bupul to Merauke so you could watch it.

Samsul, I still live in Bupul village with Mum and Dad.

The village is still like before. The air is still fresh.

But to this day there is still no electricity and no telephone.

On the journey to Merauke we pass through many border security posts.

The TNI post that used to be near the Maro River bridge ...

... has been moved to near the Eligobel District office.

As you know, the trip from Bupul to Merauke is really tough ...

... usually between 4 and 5 hours.

Samsul, I miss you.

After you left me - when I was 5 months pregnant with our child ...

... life was difficult.

Many people ask who is the father of my child.

Those who know that her father is a TNI soldier call her an army brat.

Sometimes, when Yani is fussy and cranky,

Mum and Dad become emotional and say to her:

"Your father only knows how to make you, but he is irresponsible!'

I usually just stay quiet and accept these words from my parents.

Samsul, do you remember when we first met in 2008?

You were very polite and kind.

You used to visit our house often, bringing biscuits, cereal mix and milk.

You came by the house every day until we started dating.

I was still in high school at the time.

I thought we were going to get married.

But you left for Bandung in November 2008 when I was 5 months pregnant.

You promised to move to Merauke and asked me to take care of our daughter.

On 17 March 2009, our daughter, Anita Mariani, was born in the Bupul village.

I call her Yani.

Now Yani has grown big. She's three years old.

She wants to go to school and become somebody useful for the nation.

Samsul, Mum and Dad have grown old.

They can no longer work to support our child.

I find it difficult to work because I have to take care of Yani constantly.

But I continue to fight to support our child.

If you come back to us, of course I will accept you with open arms.

I will continue to wait for you, Samsul.

I don't care what people say.

Love, from Bupul and Merauke, 21 November 2011.

Maria Goreti Mekiw