Reflection of Exploring Sumba

Karejoi ma aha naung di oloi ho*

(Batak language)

What has been started

must be completed!

Exploring Sumba is a program from Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta for students who want to know more about Sumba island and share information and knowledge with youth, students and local community. I was one of the participants of the program. I was so excited to join it because of the motivation from Elisabeth, my senior at Mercu Buana University of Yogyakarta. Formerly, she participated the program and then she was sent to Sumba. So, I was getting enthusiastic to participate and would like to have new experiences about eastern region of Indonesia and could interact with people there.

As time goes by, the departure to Sumba was getting closer, I became so curious and anxious to step my feet on Sumba island. But, my spirit suddenly shrunk after I got information from Elisabeth. She said that the people there were obstinate (stubborn) with bad habit, and less discipline. I just believed what she said, because I have the same experience in Yogyakarta when I met some people from eastern region.

Two days after receiving the news, I was shocked. I considered not to depart to Sumba. But in two days later I got my spirit back because my parents motivated me, in Batak language: "Karejoi ma aha naung di oloi ho, tumagon ma maila daripada paila-ilahon," which means what has been started must be completed, be better embarrassed than make a shame.

This motivation revived my spirits. I should not be afraid and give up to any stories about Sumba even though it scares me. I knew that the failure happen when there is no effort. No attempts brings no results.

Finally, after being in Sumba and proceeded for about thirty days, I was very grateful for the opportunity because I step my feet on Marapu island precisely at my birthday, 23 years old. All these things were not automatically happened to me, but I believed that God has been designed wonderful plan for my life. Formerly, I was afraid to interact with new people, new region and new ethnic.

The things that I feared were not happened in Sumba. In fact, I felt comfortable and met many lovely people. I was so grateful to know Stube-HEMAT and be part of it. Hopefully in the future I would be more active and more concern to others. (Junita).