Esther Scarborough

Esther is the co-founder of Hohidiai, a nonprofit organisation transforming lives in Tobelo, North Halmahera, Indonesia. After volunteering in Indonesia in 2005, Esther and her husband relocated their family to Halmahera, where they established Hohidiai, “restoration” in the local language, providing holistic medical care and community support for those affected by disease, abandonment and poverty.

For over 20 years, Esther has led Hohidiai’s medical work. The clinic now treats over 350 patients each month, focusing on HIV/AIDS, leprosy and burn injuries, and has become a model for other regional facilities. She also developed a six-month healthcare training program for professional nurses and village health workers, building local capacity and skills.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Esther coordinated the clinic’s emergency response under extreme pressure, developing protocols that resulted in lower death rates than nearby hospitals. Her resilience and leadership inspired the local community and health authorities alike.

Beyond healthcare, Esther oversees Hohidiai’s preschool and primary school fororphaned and at-risk children, ensuring access to education, nutrition and counselling. She has also established agricultural projects, including a chicken farm, to promote food security and self-sufficiency.In 2024, Esther completed a Bachelor of Nursing with CDU while raising five biological children, ten locally adopted children, and fostering many others. Her work continues to bring hope, healing and opportunity to thousands across North Halmahera.