A Dream
Elisabet Novia Listiawati’s
Reflection of Program
Exploring Sumba
Exploring Sumba program finally brought me to
Sumba island. For 30 days I stayed in Parai Marapu, another famous name of Sumba island as well as
Sandlewood island. I stay in Yulius Anawaru’s house, a team member of
Stube-HEMAT Sumba. It is located in Wanggawatu, Waingapu, East Sumba.
Arriving
at the airport Umbu Mehang Kunda, Waingapu, Stube-HEMAT Sumba team, Yulius
Anawaru, Apriyanto Hangga and Pastor Dominggus Umbu Deta have been already
there to pick me up and take me directly to Stube-HEMAT Sumba secretary. My
first impression was how hot this town of Waingapu. They took me to Yulius
Anawaru’s house after giving a brief introduction. I felt happy because they
welcame me warmly and I was accepted by his family members.
It was
the first chance for me to apply my
knowledge gained during lectures and to share it for ohers. Honestly, I never
travel and live outside Java, and because of my eagerness to learn and to watch different culture and
circumstances outside Java, I was excited to join this program.
Through
this program I learn that not everyone of this nation can enjoy the convenience
that I get in Java, such as food, road access, transportation, communication,
information, and so forth. I was surprised with food commonly consumed by most
families in Sumba because they tasted salty, whereas I do not like salty foods.
However, it did not bother me because I’m determined that any constraints,
problems, and differences are merely chances to be an experienced one. I was
amazed by the beauty of Sumba nature, their savanna plains, beautiful beaches
with their crystal clear water and white sand, and wall of rock standing to
guard the beaches, hills, waterfalls, forests and many things that I could
never have seen before except in Sumba.
I also learned a lot things from my
friends in Sumba. Now they become my new brothers and sisters. I learned the
culture, language, customs, manners, culinary, tourism and so on. I was very
impressed with their acceptance in situation that happened for granted.
Although they have high tune when they are speaking, it does not mean that they
are quarreling, I learn to understand
them.
I
tried to share my knowledge as much as possible among three groups of women
farmers near by Waingapu. We shared about the development of agriculture in
East Sumba where farmers are still working in conventional farming systems, not
in modern farming systems yet, such as sustainable agriculture, integrated
farming, or organic farming. They hope they can access the up-dated information
and then inform their group members.
Postharvest processing,
Tomato-flavour Dates,
in Kambera, East Sumba "
Processing of spices
(ginger) for drinks,
In Nggaha Ori Angu, East Sumba
A
sharing session with youth and students of Indonesian National Student Movement
(GMNI) about how to make proposals and
statements was very exciting. I explained that a proposal must be written
correctly, clear and straight to the goals. The capability to write proposal is very important moreover for a community
service. It will also help us to develop
ourselves, to sharpen our knowledge and to give benefit to society. They were
excited and very curious, creative and having high-sense of togetherness, so I
hope they can take advantage from what I share in this program. I also hoped
that they have endurance to fight until
their proposals yield the result.
This
is my experience during 30 days in
Marapu island. The feelings of grief and joy, laughing, tears, and happiness are
wonderful for me. I was very happy among
brothers and sisters in Sumba, who gave me a new Sumba name, Rambu Anawulang.
Joining Exploring Sumba program is a very valuable experience that I will never forget. ** (ENL)
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