Saturday, 31 May 2014
by adminstube
My Reflection from Sumba
Novia Sih Rahayu

 
I’ve never imagined before that I could step my feet in Sumba. It's amazing to join a program called Exploring Sumba. Beside sharing knowledge, I got a chance to explore East Sumba, a district with a very broad savannas, rocky soil, sandy soil, also marapu culture which is strongly believed by Sumbanese, and customs that tend to be luxurious. I started with a confused feeling because I will go to a distant area, which I have never visited. I tried to read some articles about East Sumba, watched tour video and prepared public speaking materials.
 
On Wednesday, April 23, 2014, around 12:00 A.M, was the first time I stepped my feet on land of East Sumba. At first, I saw a small airport, just like a terrain. I could not believe that it is an airport. Furthermore Waingapu, I felt like in my own sub-district, but the city temperature here was extremely hot. I stayed in Mr. Bangun Munthe’s house, the Head of Department of Public Works Waingapu. His wife is the Secretary of the East Sumba House of Council, whom I called Mama Arif. This family has four children: Arif, Odi, Ico and Riris. I'm happy and feel comfortable to stay with this family, just like my own family. I saluted Mama Arif because she loved working and doing all household works without complaining, such as, washing glasses and dishes more than 1 big bucket everyday. Working in an office, doing domestic works, paying attention to her children and husband and so on are not easy jobs.  When, I had to have my bed-rest because of menstrual pain, the family took care of me well. Even when I came back to Jogja, Mama Arif  sent me a message telling that Riris wants to return  my cap gift so I will stay in Sumba for good and not come back to Yogyakarta. How touching the message is!
 
At first, I thought that Sumbanese is difficult to interact with others, even tends to put a serious face and unfriendly, lack of respect for others, and irritable. But later I found that I was wrong after having directly interaction with them. Perhaps I got such mindset from my formerly experience with my classmates, not all the Sumbanese.
 
 
 
I was amazed with my friends who joined public speaking class and journalism class. Besides being active in the Stube-HEMAT Sumba, they also joined other youth organizations, such as GMNI Waingapu. Feeling of inferiority had over me because they expressed their opinion in public fluently. But this feeling disappeared when they gave positive impressions to what I have shared related with public speaking. They obtained new knowledge and understanding that they did not know before. I was optimistic to share my knowledge that I obtained in college. I realized that when I share my knowledge, I also learn something at once, such as, learning to apply the knowledge I gained, learning to understand the audience, learning to respect others’ opinion, learning not to be boastful, learning to ask for God guidance, etc. I said to the participants of public speaking class that ‘never waste the chance to to speak publicly and never give up to sharpen their public speaking skills.
 
Life is a struggle. One area is abundant with natural resources, but not with other areas, such as in Kanjonga Bakul and Praipaha. I felt sad when I saw a group of children holding jerry cans to fetch water, because their area is lack of water. Having water for drinking is so precious, moreover for bathing. My body was forced to adapt the condition. I usually take a bath twice a day, but now in Praipaha I took just once in three days only with 3 small buckets of water. Water is absolutely God's incredible grace. I will never waste water again.
 
Exploring Sumba trained me more analytical, independent, wise and responsible. These activities made me more resilient, both physically and mentally as required to adapt to the weather, the place, time of activity, person character and foods. Exploring Sumba encouraged me to learn how to share with others, not only in material itself, but also knowledge, experience, happiness, passion, etc. I want to visit more places and get to know the character, both people and the region.

  
 

I am very grateful to Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta dan Sumba which have given me the opportunity and accepted me well. Thanks to my friends who have shared their time, knowledge, experience, and adventure together. I hope that this program become a beginning of a better relationship. ***


 

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