A secure position working at also Papua Explorers means a stable income for individuals, in a location close to their home and families. Through employment at the resort, a staff member receives health insurance, an accumulative pension, and for those that choose to stay/live at the resort, accommodation and 3 meals per day are provided. This may sound very basic, however, for many local community members these are basic services and amenities that are otherwise difficult (or impossible) to access.

To assist in providing basic infrastructure and services to Yenwaupnor and surrounding villages.

Given the remote location, lack of infrastructure and skilled workers in the Dampier Strait region, rudimentary services are often not available or maintained. In order to improve basic living standards, we work to provide assistance in these areas. On a monthly basis we donate fuel to Yenwaupnor Village, enough to provide 1 month of generator powered electricity, along with ‘regular giving’ based on the village needs and requests. Over the past 3 years we have also been able to provide improved sanitation, such as clean and modern toilet facilities at the school, and support well digging in order to improve the supply of fresh water.

With the generous support of resort guests, on a regular basis donations are delivered to Yenwaupnor Village, including regular donations of books, pens, pencils and supplies to the school. And twice yearly, at Christmas and Eid al-Fitr, 7+ villages in the area receive large donations of rice, oil, clothing, fuel and other essential items.

These regular donations make a significant difference in livelihoods of local communities, who have limited access to the most basic of items due to location, available resources and finances.

Current Resort Staff from Raja Ampat

DIVE CENTRE: Boat Crew: 13 Dive Guides: 9 Dive Centre Keeper: 1 Compressor Technician: 1 Boat Builder: 1 KITCHEN & RESTAURANT: Head Chef: 1 Cook’s Assistants: 2 Waiters/Waitress: 3 HOUSEKEEPING & LAUNDRY: 8 LOGISTICS: 5 MECHANICS & CONSTRUCTION: 3

Yaf Keru Reef Restoration Project

Our Yaf Keru project currently employs x3 local staff as Coral Gardeners. These 3 staff (Tomi, Yermi & Gerart) are from nearby villages and now manage and maintain the coral garden, and are local ambassadors for this project and reef restoration.

Manta Sandy Ranger Station

The Manta Sandy Ranger Station employs 4 local rangers from the villages of Arborek & Kapisawor. The selection of local rangers not only provides sustainable livelihoods, but a sense of ownership over the ranger station, with rangers who have a natural inclination to protect their own waters.

Dive Guide Training Program

Each year, up to 10 local community members are selected to complete various levels of dive guide training. After completing a PADI Open Water, new divers go on to become junior guides/apprentices at Papua Explorers Resort. Over the following 12 – 18 months, these apprentices improve their diving, guiding and safety skills, guest communication, and how to work as a professional dive guide in a professional dive centre setting. These skills enable the selected individuals to have sustainable livelihood within a marine environment. The previous year’s apprentices then go on to complete Rescue Diver training at the resort, and then go on to become senior dive guides