They suffered isolation from society. A lack of roads and social stigma caused them to live remotely – two hours by car and one on foot to reach the village. Poguwatu is the name of this village, located in the center of the small Sumba Island of Indonesia. They are so isolated because of their leprosy that they lack resources such as water, electricity, and education.
Recognizing these challenges, Pastor Paulus of Mercy Indonesia met with the regional mayor and requested assistance for Poguwatu Village. The mayor responded positively and offered a grant of land to build necessary facilities. With this permission, Mercy Indonesia Foundation is now focused on establishing a childcare center, church, and a well for clean water in Poguwatu Village.
Alongside these physical improvements, fostering a sense of community connection became a priority. Pastor Paulus said, “We adopted this village and distributed SonSet® radios to every home in that village.” The people were very happy to receive a radio. For many, it is their first time owning one and is their only form of connection to the outside world.
The impact of radio extends beyond Poguwatu Village, reaching a wider audience across the island. Sumba Radio is also reaching out to the Marapu people, which is the largest unreached people group on Sumba Island. Pastor Paulus shared, “Our FM radio has 400,000 potential listeners and is the only Christian radio station on the west Sumba Island.”
Through practical support and the unifying power of the gospel through radio, transformation and hope are spreading, making connections where there once was only isolation, and opening doors for kingdom impact across the island.
By Ruth Weber, March 2026