Black Rose Scholarship Fundraiser

The Black Rose Scholarship celebrates the legacy of Aprila Wayar, the first female West Papuan novelist, and an influential figure in Papuan journalism and activism. 

Aprila's debut novel “Rootless Black Rose” tells the story of life under the Indonesian occupation through the lens of an urban middle class Papuan woman, and her spirit of resistance under the chains of motherhood, marriage, career, and bitter family secrets.

We invite you to join us for dinner, a discussion on Rootless Black Rose, and a healing yarn co-hosted by Indonesian, First Nations, Pasifika, Asian and West Papuan allies, as well as personal friends of Aprila.

Aprila passed away in Yogyakarta on 18 October 2025 after a 14-month battle with stroke. She is survived by minor daughters JC and DC, who we recently enrolled at a reputable boarding high school in Yogyakarta. We need to raise $25,000 by the end of November 2026 to secure three years of school and boarding for two girls.

We will sell digital copies of "Rootless Black Rose" in English and Indonesian, and also welcome you to pledge donations to the Scholarship at MyCause. 

Your presence and participation serve as an extension of Aprila's loving arms, opening safe passage for her daughters to heal, grow, and carry on Aprila's spirit of resistance. 

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Book discussion by Rebecca Blair Young (translator of "Rootless Black Rose") and Gispa "Gege" Warijo (West Papuan reproductive health activist, Sa Perempuan Papua).

Healing yarn by Laniyuk Garçon-Mills (Larrakia, Kungarakan, Gurindji and French writer and artist) and Rassela Malinda (PhD Candidate at UniMelb, researching transmigration issues in the South Papua National Strategic Project).

Music performance by Rayhan Sudrajat

MC Grace Tan-Johannes (Black Rose Scholarship/Melbourne Bergerak)

We are grateful for the support of Melbourne Bergerak, ArtsForWomen Indonesia, Menumbook, the Congee Social Club, Laniyuk Garçon-Mills and our fabulous volunteers and silent supporters.