Visit to Sumba Island on 28 April 2006
Finally we made our visit to Sumba on 28 April 2006 and returned back to Denpasar on 30 April 2006. The team was AG Sudarma, PP. Suastika and Pres. Irwin who joined the mission instead of Chairman PP. Jantzen who made the arrangements for this Sumba visit. We brought 100 packages of school materials and some snacks for the students. These packages were heavy so we had to pay the freigth charges as over weight at the airport.
Checking in 100 packages at Ngurah Rai Airport
At the airport, waiting for Merpati Airlines with old small plane
We supposed left for Sumba by Merpati in the morning, however, due to the delay for more than 7 hours we arrived late, so we could do nothing at our first day in Sumba.
Greeting from the local people with traditional dance
Gathering in front of the existing school building
On our second day we had the opportunity to visit Keremeda Elementary School and we met the principal of the elementary school, Mr. Reni. We also had a discussion with Mr. Yokobus, the Ketua kampong (head of the village). The students from this elementary school are from 4 Kampongs (villages), which are Keremarenda, Watukaula, Karipada and Kelembu Kaha. During the visit we where accompanied by Mr. Lucas and Ms Ina who are working with another humanitarian project. Thanks to their great assistance.
Based on the plan, the well will be built on this school premises. The expected water will supply the new school and if there is a sufficient amount available also some nearby families.
Children and teacher in the classroom
We brought the 100 packages to Sumba for the children. Each bag package contains:
- Simple bag
- Stationary
- Big and small writing book
- Pencil
- Pen / ball point
- Ruler
- Eraser
- Sharpener
- Coloring kit (spidol and crayons)
- Drawing book
- Notebook
- Snacks (Milk, wafers, sweets, vitamin c, chips and jelly)
Giving out instruction on how to drink milk through a straw from a Tetra pack milk container
Children were very happy to receive the milk or chocolate milk packages
For some it is the first time to drink fresh milk from a box
Similar facilities which will be constructed in this elementary school are 3 buildings for the classrooms (7 m x 7 m), 1 unit office (4 x 3) and 2 unit toilets (2x2). The budget for constructing the building is app. Rp. 150.000.000 and for the equipments such as benches and chairs it costs around Rp. 20.000.000,- The contractors have been contacted and they will send the proposal within 2 weeks.
We found the from the survey recommended 3 water dots and we pointed the best one. From conversations, it is said that the cost for drilling the water wholes are around 30 millions rupiah but they said there is a contractor which could take the work for 20 millions rupiah and this contractor will send his proposal within 2 weeks also. We have to prepare Genzet and water Gron Foss (the machine). We appx will spend another 50 millions rupiah for Genset and the machine. Mr. Yokobus hopes that we will involve the people around to help the construction of the buildings, and of course we should pay them.
This is how the new school will look like
Water tank and toilet facilities
These are the updates on our visit to Sumba. Thank you for your kind help and be sure to check our next update. |
