Students Serve Their Villages: Yes, We Can! (1)

Participants’ experiences of Village and Me program

Generally when speaking about village, people will imagine such a region that has not developed and has limitations. Indonesia has 83.931 administrative areas at village level consisting of 75.436 sub districts, 8.444 villages and 51 UPT/SPT (BPS data 2018). This large number make villages need attention to be developed and be independent. If there is nothing to do with those villages, the villagers tends to move to city and the villages will be left behind.

It is a starting point for Stube-HEMAT Sumba to encourage students to pay attention to villages where they come from by sharing their knowledge gained during their lectures in town/city. It is manifested in Village and Me program, which give them chance to carry out  activities that are useful for residents in their home villages during semester break. The participants of the first group in 2018 were displayed here to share their experiences. Who are they?

Naser Randa Hailu Poti, a student of Wirawacana Sumba University majoring Biology Education. During his semester break he carried out empowerment activities and gave motivation to elementary and early education group (PAUD) in his village, Rakawatu, Lewa. The activities done were drawing, coloring and reading competitions, as well as commemorating Indonesian independence. He also shared knowledge how to make ‘bokashi’ fertilizer and cattle nutrition. This nutrient is made from banana flower bud and liquid sugar. Those ingredients are easily obtained, so farmers have no difficulties in making cattle nutrition.

He also gave his time to serve Sunday school children at GKS Rakawatu, a local church at Lewa, East Sumba. He thought that church attention and service to the congregations is not only for adults but also children as the next generation. The church administrator responded positively to Naser’s initiative, by providing meeting room and gathering the church members.

Melkianus Ngahu Moy, a student of Theological Institute (STT) Terpadu. He is from Kawangu, East Sumba. During his semester break he was in his village for service activities at GKS Kawangu. The activities he did there were be a companion in Bible Study for adults, church youth fellowship and Sunday school teachers. Melki, his nickname, realized that the church service to the congregation cannot depend only on the pastor but in other way, young people should take part in it. He seemed confident to serve the local church congregation because his activities were matched with theological study background that he learned.

Deriatus Awa, spent his semester break by returning back to his village, but he did not come 'empty' but brought 'blessings' to his village in Tanggamadita, East Sumba. As a student of Theological Institute (STT) GKS majoring in Theology, he gave his time to serve and assist children to learn in PAUD ‘Nazareth’. He helped them creatively with teaching aids, coloring and providing school supplies. He also introduced them how to have cleanliness by washing their hands after class and how to love environment by planting trees at the school yard. Even, he repainted the classrooms with new colors so that they felt more comfortable to study. Now they looked more enthusiastic to come to school and the number of children increases.

When a student gives his/her knowledge got from campus to community, actually he/she has touched three aspects of self-development at once, that is, sharpening skills to apply the knowledge he/she has learned, strengthening psychological bonds with his/her village, and having involvement in village development. So, students, please think and take opportunity to act as well as possible for your villages. (TRU).