The Pioneering Days of Alyui

In 1997, Sugiwati Maria Ndolu embarked on a journey that would define her career and become a remarkable chapter in the history of Atlas Pearls. At just 20 years old, Sugi was leaving behind her family in Kupang, stepping onto a boat that carried not only equipment and supplies but also the hopes and dreams of a pearl farming endeavor that had barely begun. It was a journey into the unknown, to a place few had ever heard of – Alyui Bay, deep in the remote reaches of West Papua. 

“I had never traveled so far from home,” Sugi recalls. “It was my first time leaving my parents, and I was the eldest daughter. My family was nervous but trusted the company. Still, I could hardly believe that I, a young Indonesian woman, would be working with foreigners. It felt surreal.”

The boat ride from Kupang was long and filled with challenges. Packed with heavy materials like concrete anchors, longlines, and pearl spat collectors, the crew set off for West Papua. The voyage was anything but smooth. Somewhere in the Banda Sea, the ship encountered technical difficulties. For days, they drifted, waiting for help. “We were floating in the open sea. The food was running out, and we had no idea how much longer it would take. But Joseph Taylor – our leader and mentor – came back with a speedboat, bringing fresh supplies and a renewed sense of hope.”

After 12 days, they finally arrived at Alyui Bay. The sight that greeted them was breathtaking. “It was a bright morning, and as I looked out from the boat, I saw the green, untouched mountains rising out of the sea. It was so beautiful that I pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I remember thinking, ‘Are we still on Earth?’ The view was so stunning, it felt otherworldly.”

The beauty of the bay contrasted sharply with the work ahead. They had arrived not to a ready-made pearl farm, but to a blank canvas of wilderness. The group of 12, five men and seven women, began the arduous task of building Alyui from the ground up. “We started by unloading all the supplies. We had to set up longlines in the water and construct makeshift shelters. That first night, we slept in a tent, all together under the same roof. There was no base camp, no infrastructure. It was just us and the jungle.”

“We built Alyui Bay with our hands, our hearts, and our hopes. When I look back at that time, I see the resilience it took. We were just a small group of people, but together, we created something that has lasted decades.”

The work progressed rapidly. Within a year, they had constructed a functioning pearl farm and a community. Base camps, including a hatchery, housing, and common areas, began to take shape. “We were no longer just workers; we were builders, creators. Each one of us had a role to play, whether it was in construction, organizing operations, or taking care of the longlines. It felt like we were building something bigger than ourselves.” 

In those early days, the team relied on each other and the leadership of Joseph Taylor. “He was our guide, not just in technical matters, but in life. He was strict, but he taught us so much. He was the kind of person who could inspire you, and we believed in his vision.”

Despite the physical challenges and the isolation of the location, Sugi thrived. She learned the ropes of pearl farming, gaining technical skills that would later propel her into leadership roles. “What I loved most was the diversity of the work – from the intense, meticulous tasks of seeding and harvest to the thrill of seeing new people arrive, ready to join our efforts. Every day was different, and every success was shared.”

As the years went on, Alyui Bay grew, as a pearl farm and as a symbol of possibility. What began as a small team of pioneers had turned into a thriving hub of innovation, where pearls were harvested and where relationships, knowledge, and opportunities flourished. For Sugi, the journey from a young, inexperienced woman to a leader in pearl operations reflects the spirit of that pioneering time.

Today, Sugi is the assistant technical manager for Atlas Pearls. Her story is one of courage, perseverance, and vision – a true testament to what can be achieved when a group of people follow a dream and work together to turn it into reality. 

Written by Cath Witten

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