Writing Competition: A Day In Life With English

As part of the 10-Year Anniversary of SAGU Foundation, a writing competition was conducted as one of Community Development (ComDev) programs in Term 1 titled “A Day in Life with English”. This competition focused on youth around Jayapura, especially the youth aged 18-25, to reflect on how English plays a role in their everyday experiences. Participants were required to submit a short essay between 250-300 words about how they use English daily. All entries must be written in English and respond to the theme. The competition was opened to individuals only, and all submissions must be original, hand written and unpublished. Conducted at the SAGU Foundation office, the competition took place over three days, started with the Technical Meeting on March 10th, followed by the Writing Day on March 14th, and concluded with the Award Ceremony on March 21st, 2025. The panel of judges included Prof. Dr. Wigati Yektiningtyas-Modouw, M.Hum., Ms. Diana Kambuaya, and Mr. Azarya Patty.

Many young learners in Papua face challenges connecting classroom English to their real-life experiences. This project responded to the growing need for young people in Jayapura to meaningfully engage with English, not only as a subject in school but as a practical tool in their daily lives. Therefore, this project aimed to enhance creativity, critical thinking, and engagement through writing. By encouraging participants to write with simple contextual topic about how English appears in their everyday routines, the competition promoted context-based learning as they can learn English through their activities daily. Additionally, the initiative aligned with SAGU’s broader mission to strengthen and empower local youth through relevant, accessible, and culturally sensitive education. It created a supportive space where participants could share their perspectives, gain confidence in using English, and connect their learning to their identity and community.

This activity was joined by 12 participants from different institutions and the general public. Three winners were selected based on the quality and creativity of their writing. First Place which the Best Writing was awarded to Nurul Hukma from Universitas Cenderawasih with 51 points for her insightful and well-organized writing with a strong impact and unique perspective. Second Place which the Most Creative went to Gloria Rosario Zonggonao from Universitas Internasional Papua with 41 points for her original ideas, good structure, and strong use of grammar and vocabulary. 3rd Place – Most Inspiring was given to Raymond Walterus Salvius Maturan, a young English teacher at SMP YPPK St. Paulus Abepura with 41 points for his impactful and original writing, although it needed more depth and a stronger theme connection.

A significant result was that 90% of participants reported an improvement in their critical thinking skills while writing in English, showing the competition’s impact on their analytical abilities. Furthermore, 55% of participants were able to produce essays that followed proper writing rules and structure, indicating growth in their understanding of English writing conventions. The project also sparked increased interest in English writing activities, with many participants expressing enthusiasm for future writing workshops at the SAGU Foundation. This has led to plans for a follow-up Community Development project focused on writing classes.

Main challenges faced during the project was ensuring fairness and consistency in the judging and evaluation process. With three different judges bringing diverse perspectives, it was difficult to assess the students’ creative use of English objectively. Each submission reflected unique experiences, making it essential to establish clear evaluation criteria and maintain alignment among judges. Additionally, budget planning posed a challenge, as unforeseen expenses emerged during the implementation phase. Balancing costs for participant prizes and complementary while maintaining financial sustainability required careful adjustments and strategic decision-making throughout the process.

Through organizing the “A Day in Life with English” Writing Competition, I learned the importance of preparation, adaptability, and collaboration in executing a successful educational event. I realized that providing a supportive platform for young people to express themselves in English can significantly boost their confidence, motivation, and engagement with the language. I also learned that clear communication with judges, thoughtful planning, and flexibility in managing resources are crucial for overcoming challenges such as evaluation fairness and budget limitations. Most importantly, I saw firsthand how context-based learning encourages students to connect English with their daily lives, which makes English learning more meaningful and relevant through daily activities.

In conclusion, this project not only strengthened participants’ writing and critical thinking skills but also deepened my own understanding of how to lead impactful community development initiatives in term education competition. It reaffirmed my commitment to promoting inclusive, creative, and practical approaches to learning English in Papua.

Disclaimer: This article was written based on the author’s personal experience and knowledge during the implementation of the Writing Competition project. To improve clarity and accuracy in English grammar, AI assistance was used as a writing tool. All content and reflections remain the author’s own.

Author :


Rachel Mansawan
English Tutor