Capacity Building in Soe

Soe is laid in Nusa Tenggara Timur province, the same province as Sumba but they are in different island. There are also some ex-activists of Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta in Soe. Knowing that Stube HEMAT is also exist in Sumba, one of ex-activist, Rev. Yosafat Manu, S.Th, M.Si, proposed an activity for Soe students to have Capacity Building training on December 2009. Considering the important of the training for students, Stube HEMAT Sumba coordinator agreed to have one in Soe under the budgeting of Civil Society program of Stube HEMAT Sumba. This training is held on December 14-15 December, 2009 at Efata Church of Soe. There are 32 participants consisting of 19 female and 13 male.

The speakers are Rev. Dominggus Umbu Deta, S.Th (Stube HEMAT coordinator), Rev. Yosafat Manu, S.Th., M.Si, Rev. Salatiel Baitanu, SM.Th, Evangelist Daud Otemusu, S.Pd., Rev. Bendelina Boru, S.Th and Rev. Budi Ninu, S.Th.

The back ground of the training

There is no special training for students and youth in the church concerning on social problem not merely on spiritual issue. Church policy has not open in discussing social problems and the solution or up graded youth quality to face the competition on real life. From this situation, there is an idea to have trainings like in Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta has. The most urgent one is Capacity Building to empower one to explore their own capacities and to know what actually they are. It will enable them to do something more and better than they think before.

The topic delivered is expected to supply knowledge to bring awareness and give practice skill to handle activity in organization. As church activists or student activists, the participants know their potency to develop and how to affect others. Another important point is, they know the vision and mission of Stube HEMAT as a whole either in Yogyakarta or in Sumba. Participants are curious to know further each topic delivered by source person. They are active to ask and follow discussion. It is also rather awkward when they practice to lead a forum, make a correct decision in a given case study or exploring their potency and decide the way to continue their life either as students or church activists.

The introduction of Stube HEMAT delivered by the coordinator of Stube HEMAT Sumba gets much attention as it is the first time for them to follow such activities. Some of them even express that one day they have link to get exposure to Java and follow students’ activities there. Some source persons admit that such programs are important to make church ready to response social challenge in the modern era with individualism and hedonism as the threat of solidarity and love which become Christian jargon, Christianity is not a ritual religion but a spirit to have action instead. It is kind of challenge for religion as it is not only a spiritual sanctuary any more but also physically one. That’s why religion like Christian religion is summoned out to know the world and human problem in the current context.

Capacity Building training is one effort to make aware on such situation so the stake holders of the future be aware to make a better life especially, students and young generation.