From Sumba to Yogyakarta:

Finding Interests and

Developing Talent

In 2015, Stube-HEMAT Sumba sent six students and youth to learn for one month in Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta. The first group consisted of Yakoba Pindi Ana Jawa Ratundima (Theology Institute”Terpadu”), Dhany Adrian Apriyanto Umbu Tunggu (Economy Sciences Institute “Kriswina”) and Nikson Retang (Poultry Academy). They departed from Waingapu in August using KM Awu, a passanger ship.

During the program in Yogyakarta, Dhany and Nikson learned agriculture in Joglo Tani, Sleman. They were mentored by TO Suprapto, a practitioner of integrated farming system, who combines various elements in agriculture including farm workers, land, irrigation of crops and livestock. The water from a ditch is flowing into fish ponds and it waters chilli plants, mustards, kale and spinach. From the fish ponds, water is flowing into coops to nurture brood of ducklings. Then, water flows into coops for laying ducks and finally flows to the rice fields. The duck eggs from Joglo Tani are often purchased by local people. They sell duck eggs and also produce salted eggs. Dhany and Nikson realized that the method has not been developed in Sumba.

Yakoba Ana, a student majoring Christian Education, went to Sanggar Anak Alam (Salam) Yogyakarta, and observed learning process which gave children freedom to develop based on their talents. The opportunity to dialogue with Mrs. Wahya, the founder of Sanggar Anak Alam encouraged her to devote her knowledge in Sumba.

Then, sand farmland in Samas organized by Mr. Bandi became a place for Yakoba Ana and Dhany to learn dried agriculture. Both learned not only techniques to process dry sand into a ready field for planting, but also improved knowledge on the independence of farmers to provide fertilizers and pesticides.

Nikson learned pig farm in Kadipiro in order to get additional knowledge about pig farm, how to select sows, how to maintain the water quality, food, vitamins also its piggery. Sumbanese are so familiar with pig, because pig is used as means of custom and additional family income.

In Yogyakarta, they also joined marine economy training held Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta. The trainees interacted directly with marine life, fishermen and marine economic problems. Through this training, participants were aware about the marine potencies in Indonesia and it  will strengthen the bargaining power of the local fishermen. They should find breakthrough or new discovery for the marine economic growth, especially in Sumba. Yakoba Ana studied at Baros Mangrove conservation area, Bantul, and  Nikson observed the lives of fishermen in Muncar, Banyuwangi, while Dhany interacted with the fishermen at port Sadeng, Gunungkidul.

The second group consisted of Norman Tamu Ama (Economy Institute “Kriswina”), Anthonius Landu Jawa (Arta Wacana University, Kupang) and Hermina Tamu Rambu (Theology Institute GKS Lewa) departed from Waingapu in October 11, 2015.

Topics about Credit Union (CU), handicraft and tourism development became the main topic for them. In the begining they visited Student CU UGM, Malioboro, Vredeburg Fortress and Taman Pintar (an educational park).

Next, Norman, Anthon and Hermina practiced bamboo crafts, using Cendani, a small bamboo but this sort is very strong. They made clothes hanger, lanterns and lamp shade. The materials about CU covered save and loan simulation that they learned from the board of CU in Nyutran village, Yogyakarta. It is expected that they will be able as initiator CU in Sumba to fight against moneylenders. The practice creating craft from mussels was held in the residence of Mrs. Maryati, a woman crafter in Rejosari Gunungkidul. This activity trigered creative ideas how to make craft based on shells material may be developed in Sumba.

Another activities they follow were discussions of economic and tourism development in Sumba with Ir. Hero Darmawanta, M.T, board of Stube-HEMAT member and discussion about Youth and Social Movements with Eko Prasetyo (Social Movement Institute).

At the end of the program, participants committed that they would share their experiences and apply knowledge and skills they have learned during the program in Yogyakarta both to friends of Stube-HEMAT Sumba and community of Sumba. It’s time to prove skills and knowledge devoted to Sumba. Let's do good works! (TRU).