Wednesday, 29 April 2015
by adminstube
 

 

It’s Like

 

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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