Sandyawan Sumardi

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Sandyawan Sumardi is closely linked to humanitarian activities in Indonesia after the Indonesian 1998 Revolution.

[edit] Early life

Son of Andreas Sumardi (a retired police lieutenant) and Suzana, he was born in Janeponto, South Sulawesi, as the youngest son of the family that depended on his father's modest salary. Following his father, Kuncoro, as Sandyawan was called during his childhood, was raised in different places, from Ujung Pandang (Provincial capital of South Sulawesi, now called Makassar) to Banjarnegara (where he finished the elementary school), to Bantul and Magelang (where he entered the seminary school of his own choice), and then, finally, he entered the seminary school in Yogyakarta. Since a very early age and especially during his period of study, Sandyawan developed an aspiration and life-mission to help the poor and others who were less fortunate. He is a Jesuit priest.

[edit] Humanitarian work

In Indonesia his figure has become the focus of attention since the incident of 27 July 1996. While doing this he and his team continuously were hindered, mainly by those holding political/military power. Sandyawan's Independent Fact Finding Team, which intends to support those who become victims of brutal violence, mutilation and rape during the May 1998 riot, constantly have to face daily terrors and risk their lives.