What is in mind of
Sumbanese youth when they were asked about Sumba? The answers are likely
savanna, livestock, tourism and culture. These are standard answers, in fact,
they need to be more critical in seeing the reality of world challenges with
its competition and temptation of youth lifestyle, such as hedonism, instant
lifestyle, smoking, drugs, free sex, low work ethic, etc. In fact, they sell
their land easily to buy vehicles just for prestige without knowing its
economic value, even do not continue their studies after high school and apply
work outside of Sumba island as laborers. However, some others are fortunate to
be able to continue their higher education in Sumba or outside of Sumba, such
as Kupang, Malang, Salatiga and Yogyakarta.
The data from BPS East
Sumba 2019 illustrated the population aged 15 years and over, in which the main activity of 168.865 people is consisting
of 128.308 people working, 1.852 people not working/looking for work, and
38.705 people are not the workforce because they are at school, taking care of
households and others. It is interesting how to equip a group of young people to
have economically valuable skills while studying that can improve their
welfare. Stube-HEMAT Sumba responded to this challenge by conducting a training
on Youth, Work and Other Alternatives at PPMT guesthouse, Lewa, East Sumba
(22-24/11/2019) through personal capacity building, productive skills and
attention to local conditions.
Thirty-two students from
Theology College (STT) Terpadu, Wira Wacana Christian University, Theology
College (STT) of Sumba Christian Church and church youth took part in the
training that began with Introduction of Stube-HEMAT by Rev. Dominggus Umbu
Deta, S.Th, the coordinator of Stube-HEMAT Sumba. He said that Stube is God's
blessing from the offerings of churches in Germany and since 2008 serving
students and young people in Sumba, so we must be grateful and diligent in
participating in its programs including three participants of Exposure program
to Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta who shared their learning experiences in Yogyakarta
about growing vegetables, processing local food, making ‘colet batik’ and
ecoprint and arranging accessories from beads and presenting videos as product
of photography and videomaking. This program gives Sumba students opportunity
to learn and do activities at Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta because by visiting other
places and interact with people with different cultures, languages and ways of
life these will enrich them in understanding people and life.
The current phenomenon of
Sumbanese youth is that they tend to be instant rather than doing process of
achieving results by looking for work outside Sumba island, such as to Bali
that is considered to provide more promising job vacancies, but in fact they do
not think that they also face hard competition there, and forced back to Sumba
with no results, besides another threat of human trafficking because of the
temptation of work abroad without sufficient skills. It was revealed by Drs.
Banju Ndakumanung, Lewa sub-district head, he also offered alternatives in Lewa
with its potency of livestock and agriculture as business base that can be
developed creatively by applying technology into food products, crafts,
agriculture supportings and other products. Even the sub-district government
with the Manpower office of East Sumba regency has carried out life skills
training for young people to create new opportunities and jobs.
The strategy to start
local-based business was revealed by Florensius B.D.U Wijaya, a businessman in
Lewa engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry and plantations that utilizes
creativity and modern technology. The main capital to start a business is
strong will and not to be easy to give up, equipped with knowledge and skills
that are available on internet. Challenges exist but we should be sure and
optimistic that we will produce something good for our lives. He reminded that
any capital can start a business, clear goal as the direction of business and
do not be bothered by pessimistic opinion from others. Don't forget to
understand what is needed by market, observe what is the current trend by providing
products that respond to these needs and to take advantage of technology,
social media and various communities of young people to promote the products.
Regarding to millennial
generation 4.0, Ev. Yosua Bulu Pada, S.Th, the PPMT manager, emphasized that
millenial generation is those who are open-minded, creative, innovative, has
entrepreneurial spirit, and adaptable with modern era. We cannot say no to
technological developments because this is the reality, so we must be able to
compete in mastery of technology that can be utilized in various aspects of
life. Not just using technology for communication but also enrich knowledge and
economy. As practical provision he worked with the participants to make taro
chips and turmeric drinks, curcuma and ginger. These ingredients are easily
found at the house yards and containing nutritious substance for health even economic value when they are marketed with a
variety of flavors.
At the end of the
training Rev. Dominggus reminded the participants that youth is actually in a
productive period so that they should have positive creativity that bring good
change, be tough in business, be ready to be a leader, be critical and be smart
in building their own potency and be wisely utilizing technology. Idealism is
important, but it needs to be realistic and make it happen because idealists
are not only in mind but also actions according to the situation and condition
of the community, so that they will be accepted by society.
Soni Kauki Ndala, a
student at Unkriswina from Umamanu, Lewa Tidahu district expressed his
gratitude for Stube-HEMAT activities because it contacts directly with real
life and can be done by young people.
The learning opportunity
to improve quality of young people have been available and a variety of local
potency and business start-up strategies have been revealed, next how young
people respond by preparing themselves and being smart to target work
opportunities that are useful for themselves and the community where they live.
Young people of Sumba, are you ready? (TRU).
Comments
Post a Comment