The Church-run St. Brigitta Learning Centre is working to empower the young people on Indonesia’s remote Kei Besar Island in Southeast Maluku, combining medicine and pastoral care.
By Mathias Hariyadi, LiCAS News
On Indonesia’s remote Kei Besar Island in Southeast Maluku, a Church-run learning centre grew out of an unexpected meeting of vocations shaped by medicine and pastoral work.
Two different life stories converged on the island and led to the establishment of an initiative focused on youth development.
One is Dr. Angelina Vanessa, a general medical practitioner from Jakarta who spent 12 years serving as a program officer with DoctorShare on Kei Besar Island, one of Indonesia’s most remote regions in Southeast Maluku Regency.
DoctorShare, founded by Germany-trained surgeon Dr. Lie Dharmawan, is widely known for its Kapal Apung (Floating Hospital) program, which has sailed across the Indonesian archipelago to bring professional medical services to underserved and isolated communities, often in places without hospitals or surgical facilities.
Dr. Angelina Vanessa, a medical doctor who spent 12 years working as a program and project manager with DoctorShare on Kei Besar Island, speaks during a gathering while holding her 4-year-old daughter. (© Mathias Hariyadi – LiCAS News)
The other is Father Patrisius Jeujanan, MSC, a native priest from Bombay village on Kei Besar Island. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he remained on the island for almost seven months due to government travel restrictions aimed at curbing the virus’s spread.
The emergence of St. Brigitta Learning Centre
While working and living on the same island, Dr. Vanessa and Father Patrisius engaged in many discussions about the future of local children and youth.
Eventually, they shared the same concern: young people on Kei Besar needed opportunities beyond formal schooling, spaces where they could develop practical skills, discipline, confidence, and faith.
From that shared vision emerged the St. Brigitta Learning Centre, an initiative designed to empower local children and teenagers to become more productive and confident individuals.
The program focuses on music, self-discipline, English proficiency, public speaking, and the enrichment of Christian faith, especially meaningful in a community where the majority of residents are Catholic.
Father Patrisius Jeujanan, MSC, national director of social works of the Indonesian Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, speaks during a youth formation session at the St. Brigitta Learning Centre on Kei Besar Island, Southeast Maluku. (© Mathias Hariyadi – LiCAS News)
The learning centre is located on higher ground and features a newly built multifunction hall that serves as classrooms and, when needed, a temporary dining area for visitors. Several furnished rooms on the upper level provide simple accommodations for guests and volunteers.
Born with music and song
Indonesians widely acknowledge that certain ethnic communities are blessed with a natural talent for music and singing, and Kei Besar and Kei Kecil islands are no exception. Moluccans are widely regarded as gifted in music and song.
When a small group of doctors, educators, and young volunteers from Jakarta arrived on the island on December 22 to carry out charity work, they were warmly welcomed by students of St. Brigitta Learning Centre.
Standing along the stone steps leading to the facility, the young people played guitars and sang popular local songs in a joyful fanfare.
That was only the beginning.
Throughout the visit, the students confidently led storytelling sessions, engaged in lively discussions, and performed traditional dances.
The activities reflected years of nonformal education guided by dedicated teachers and local volunteers, helping the youth grow in public speaking and self-expression.
Visitors from Jakarta pose with local volunteers and young people at the St. Brigitta Learning Centre in Bombay village on Kei Besar Island, Southeast Maluku. (© Mathias Hariyadi – LiCAS News)
Dedicated teachers and volunteers
Although Dr. Vanessa and Father Patrisius currently work and reside in Jakarta, the daily operations of St. Brigitta Learning Centre are managed by Tien Jeujanan, a professional educator who previously taught in Manado, North Sulawesi, and Papua.
Mrs. Tien is also a gifted musician, skilled in playing various instruments and singing. Whenever the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church in Bombay needs an organist, she is ready to serve.
Supporting her are two dedicated volunteers.
Magdalena “Lena” Jeujanan, a former religious sister with formation experience in the Philippines and eight years of service in Italy, teaches English and choir and also assists as a guide for foreign visitors. During festive liturgies, she often leads the choir with vibrant energy.
Another volunteer, Maria Lisa Desi Talubun, is a university student who serves as a parish choir conductor while also teaching children and youth at the learning centre.
Celebration of Mass at the St. Brigitta Learning Centre in Bombay village on Kei Besar Island (© Mathias Hariyadi – LiCAS News)
Continuing the mission
Dr. Vanessa and Father Patrisius have no intention of stopping there.
In recent months, they have initiated the establishment of St. Carlo Acutis Kindergarten School, an effort strongly supported by the parish priest, Father Anselmus Amo, MSC.
Together, the priests have also encouraged the local community to develop a retreat facility at Bukit Doa (Prayer Hill), about eight kilometers from the learning centre, as well as plans for a mini soccer field.
“We are morally obliged to provide public sports facilities on Kei Besar Island,” Father Patrisius said.
“Young people need healthy spaces to channel their physical energy through activities like mini football. We do not want them to spend their afternoons glued to mobile gadgets, wasting money on data packages and falling into scrolling addiction,” the priest added.
On this remote island, the St. Brigitta Learning Centre reflects the convergence of medical service, pastoral care, and local commitment in supporting the formation of local children and youth.
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