EduVenture began its first semester in Irian Jaya in 1997. After 6 semesters an independence movement changed the name to West Papua, and the insecurity forced our college student program to move to the island of Sumba. After September 11, 2001 we were forced to leave Sumba and finish the semester in New Mexico. This program then moved to Mexico where it is currently running on the Huapoca ranch. We have since replicated this student program in the Fiji Islands.

In 1998, local Papuan leaders asked EduVenture to start a Leadership Development and English program for their own people. We began accepting 20 Papuan, Christian young people each year. Those 20 students are currently being selected from among 70 applicants. It was originally a 2-year program that has now expanded to 4.5 years with an enrollment of about 50 Papuan young people.

The Leadership Development and English program is now called Netaiken Academy ("Heart" in Dani) and has expanded to include the following 3 campuses:

SEMESTERS 1-3: Each new class of 20 begins their studies in English, Typing, Papuan Identity and Leadership at the Pyramid campus. The village of Pyramid is located in the Baliem Valley of the Highlands of West Papua, Indonesia. The closest town, Wamena, is a 1 hour and 20 minute drive away. The first outsiders to reach Pyramid were missionaries less than 50 years ago. About 6-8 of these students make the cut and continue on to the Bokondini campus.
SEMESTERS 4-5: At Bokondini, also in West Papua, students focus on Computer, Business, Community Development, World History, Current Events, Marriage and Family, Math, English and several other courses while actively applying each class to real life projects.
SEMESTERS 6-7: Semester 6 is a study-abroad homestay program on the east side of the border in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea. At this point students focus on Identity and TOEFL English. Semester 7 brings students back to Papua for a 6-month internship in Teaching, Community Development, Business or Aviation.

SEMESTERS 8-9: The final 2 semesters are a full year abroad studying at Cornerstone in Dubbo Australia or CLTC in Mt. Hagen PNG. EduVenture's core values of Simplicity, Intentionality, Cross Cultural Understanding, Discipleship, Experiential Education and Community are central to the Netaiken Program. The students work roughly 12 hours a week to defray school costs. They also raise rabbits and run a small business. The cost per student is roughly $700 per semester of which students must pay $70. EduVenture puts about $25,000 a year towards the support of Netaiken. The Oikonomos Foundation matches that amount.

Despite being forced to discontinue our program for American college students in 2000, the Netaiken Program continues under the leadership of Paul and Victoria Wetipo. Scotty and Heidi Wisley, Directors of EduVenture, work as assistant directors to the Netaiken Program. God is doing awesome things in the lives of our students and staff, and we are finding that He doesn’t need a lot of fancy stuff or money to do it… He needs lives that are committed to Him.

Netaiken's Leadership Development Program in Indonesia is always in need of teachers. We are looking for flexible, humble, self-supported volunteers with a real love for the people here. All candidates must be ready to serve in the small things and willing to commit to a 5-12 month period. Singles, couples, or families are welcome. Please contact us as soon as possible if you or someone you know might be interested: Scotty Wisley, netaikenbok@yahoo.com.au or info@eduventure.net