Road of Hope: Manikaji’s Journey to a Brighter Future

Perched high up the slopes of Mount Abang, Manikaji Sub-village, home to 1,430 residents, has long struggled with their steep, winding and dusty 1.6 km dirt road that connects its three traditional communities. For years, this unsafe route made it difficult for farmers to transport harvests, mothers to walk to markets and for children to walk to school, especially during the rainy season.

In April 2025, hope arrived when EBPP’s German partner, The Wave Project, approved and provided the funding for our proposal. Construction began on 14 May through gotong royong (community working together for mutual benefit)), with 84 households in Manikaji Puncak taking turns to work from morning to noon, and later until late afternoon to beat the rain. Over a period of 69 days, the community hand-mixedused 1,429 sacks of cement—overcoming challenges with unwavering determination.

EBPP staff closely monitored progress, ensuring quality in every detail from the road slab thickness to the sand-gravel mix ratios. By the 3rd August 2025, the dream became reality: a strong, safe 1,600 metres concrete road was completed!

Now, Manikaji residents can walk, ride, and transport goods with ease. The road is more than infrastructure—it is a symbol of resilience, unity, and progress. With heartfelt gratitude, the community thanks the donors whose generosity has transformed daily life and opened the way to a brighter future.

By, Komang Kurniawan, EBPP Chairman & Team Leader