At Murex Resorts, we are committed to supporting local communities, providing opportunities for young people to develop their skills and broaden their horizons, embodying values of excellence, environmental stewardship, and cultural pride. Aligned with this promise, Murex Resorts recently launched a student internship program in collaboration with Child Aid Papua, and welcomed two student trainees to our resorts in Manado and Bangka for 3 months of practical work experience.

 

Natan and Sintike come from SMK Cahaya Anak Papua high school in Raja Ampat. From August–October 2024, they joined our team of passionate professionals, who helped them gain valuable experience in the hospitalities sector. Working in the Murex restaurants as waiting staff, Natan and Sintike learned how to deliver high-quality food and beverage service to international guests – vital skills that will serve them well in their future careers.

 

Nathaniel Sumonimara (Natan) is a 15-year-old student from Sawingrai Village in the Mios Mansar District of Raja Ampat, West Papua. Though currently in the second grade at school, he already has his sights set on a career in hospitalities. “The experience I’ve gained here (at Murex Manado) will be very useful to me when I’m ready to join the job market,” explains Natan, “as it helped me get the skills I need to feel prepared and not be too surprised.”

 

The skills Natan has developed include table service, setting up the daily breakfast buffet and taking guests’ orders for à la carte lunches and dinners. “I’m still a little too slow at setting up the buffet,” he admits, “but the team here at Murex have really helped me develop my confidence and shown me how to be friendly and professional with the guests. That’s been really useful.”

A key step in Natan’s learning journey has been regular 1-hour English language classes, provided by Murex at the resort. Over the 3-month internship, these sessions gave him the technical knowledge and personal confidence he needs to succeed. “Improving my English has really helped me in my daily tasks,” he says, “from taking orders and following instructions to chatting and socializing with the guests. I’ve come a long way since I first started working here.”

Natan’s mentor during his time at Murex was Assistant F&B Manager of Murex Manado, Jacky Susinggi. To support Natan’s development, Jacky provided daily briefings and on-the-spot training in all aspects of the service industry, from product knowledge to table service, teamwork, and leadership skills. “Great leaders create new leaders,” says Jacky, who encourages trainees to think independently and reinforces their knowledge through regular roleplays. “This means they already feel confident and fully prepared when they begin working with guests.”

 

In regards to Natan’s performance, Jacky says “it has been excellent. Over 3 months he’s taken a lot of information on board, followed the example set by senior staff, and demonstrated he can consistently implement high standards of service.” For both Natan and Sintike, Jacky reiterated that consistency is key. “Every guest has different needs,” he says, “so it’s our responsibility to find out what those unique requirements are and then fulfill them.”  

Jade Harvey is the Digital Marketing Manager at Murex. Having previously worked for 9 years in Raja Ampat, she and her husband Chris (who is the manager of Murex Bangka) were instrumental in creating a bridge between Papua and Sulawesi for the interns to cross. “This internship program is very valuable to young people in Papua,” explains Jade, “because it not only helps them broaden their skills in English and hospitality, but also teaches them to be independent, experiencing a different environment and culture from where they grew up.”

 

“This opportunity will also show them the world outside of Raja Ampat, which will give them an understanding of how precious their underwater treasures are, and hopefully give them the motivation to continue to protect the natural world where they live.” To Natan and Sintike, and any other interns who follow in their footsteps, Jade has this advice:

 

“Find and fuel your passion, whether it’s a love for the ocean and its underwater wonders, a passion for creating captivating content, or a dream to deliver aesthetically beautiful and scrumptious meals; to work in this sector, we also need to understand and master the main principle of hospitality, which is creating an environment where guests feel welcomed, valued, and seen.” 

Before returning to his studies in Papua, Natan had a message for his mentors: “Thank you Murex, for welcoming us as children from Papua. I have learned a lot while I’ve been here, and look forward to beginning my career in the F&B service sector. This is my first time away from home, and my family is already proud of what I have achieved here in Manado.”

 

Having seen Natan and Sintike develop their skills and explore their potential, Jade, Jacky, and the F&B team are looking forward to welcoming the next generation of student interns to Murex, as part of our ongoing collaboration with Child Aid Papua. More interns are coming in 2025, so expect to see some new, smiling faces the next time you visit!

About Child Aid Papua

Child Aid Papua is a non-profit organization based in Switzerland, working exclusively in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. They believe every child has a right to education, regardless of who they are, where they are, or how much money their family has. Working with local partners like Murex Resorts, Child Aid Papua is providing children in Raja Ampat with access to high-quality education, knowledge, and professional opportunities that can support a lifetime of learning and empowerment. Ultimately, this support will help young learners become leaders, and contribute to a healthy and safe environment, with a focus on long-term protection of the natural world around them.

 

For more information, go to the Child Aid Papua website, and follow them on Instagram.