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Liputan6.com, West Kalimantan - The morning was crisp and cool in Dusun Loncek, a village situated on the banks of the Ambawang River in West Kalimantan. Located 80 kilometers from Pontianak, this small village with a population of around 500 felt isolated.
Seeing the village in such a condition, Asriyadi Alexander Mering, a Dayak native from Pontianak, felt compelled to help.
Mering frequently visited Dusun Loncek. He believed that this village on the Indonesia-Malaysia border could thrive with a little guidance and support.
Drawing on his experience as a journalist and activist in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), this law graduate provided practical training to the villagers. In 2012, Mering established a border region bloggers' community.
Now, the villagers of Dusun Loncek can write fluently and utilize the internet for various daily tasks. They have warmly welcomed Mering's ideas and eagerly await his training sessions.
The villagers generally believe that the internet is a powerful tool for accessing various opportunities. Dusun Loncek is no longer isolated. Not only do they receive information from the outside world, but through their own blogs, the villagers of Dusun Loncek can also share information about their village with the rest of the world.
The empowerment of Dusun Loncek has been ongoing for three years. Several friends have joined Mering as volunteers. Dusun Loncek now frequently receives visitors from the education and arts sectors.
This father of two is determined to continue promoting the use of the internet to connect remote areas. Watch the full story on Sosok Minggu Ini, aired on SCTV's Liputan 6 Siang on Sunday, December 7, 2014. (Dan/Sun)
