WEST WEWEWA, MENARASUMBA.COM – The noise of children mingling with parents and a number of Team Fullers Properties members was still loud even though it was getting late.
The small building with unplastered walls and no windows was packed on Tuesday (30/01/2024) night.
On that farewell night, occasionally the Fullers Properties team leader, Mr. Andy shed tears, unable to hold back the emotion of watching the attractions of children of various ages who seemed reluctant to be left behind.
“Tomorrow they will return to Bali after five days here,” explained Petrus Ngongo Bulu, the initiator of the English Group of Course Sumba (EGC Sumba).
The atmosphere of the farewell evening for EGC Sumba children with Team Fullers Properties which was filled with entertainment performances. ( Photo by Menara Sumba )
The nine-member Fullers Properties team visited to witness and share love with the children of EGC Sumba.
The property company that exists on the Island of the Gods, Bali, has a social project known as Heart of Kampung.
The social action of the property company owned by a Chinese national from Hongkong whose real name is Kun Chi Yung and is more familiarly called Mr. Andy, was the first donor to extend love to the children of EGC Sumba.
The course institution, which was initiated by Petrus Ngongo Bulu and established on July 17, 2017, had a vacum for two years when COVID-19 broke out around the world.
“The beginning of this learning community was just a whim, because at that time I had just left the monastery,” said Petrus, who had reached the level of Brother in one of the monasteries in Yogyakarta.
Initiator and founder of EGC Sumba, Petrus Ngongo Bulu. ( Special Photo )
The first participants of EGC Sumba were 15 children, ranging from elementary, junior high, and high school students who live in Niri Wittu, Reda Kapala, Kalembu Kowo, Welli Wanno, Kapulota, Kawango Dana, and Elomata villages in Kabali Dana Village, West Wewewa District, Southwest Sumba Regency.
During the course of the group’s journey, the number of participants grew, and there were even five students who came from Camme, another village approximately 6 km away.
Petrus said the initial idea came from his concern when in the afternoon he saw many children not studying, some even never holding a book.
“In addition, I also feel that English education is very important for children in Sumba to learn and master,” he added.
With its natural panoramic potential and cultural tourism charm, Sumba is the target of foreign tourist visits because it is one of the world’s best tourist destinations.
The first EGC Sumba participant who at that time was a PAUD student with Victornikus Dapa Ngeda, one of the first teachers, phot taken on August 23 2017. ( Photo by Menara Sumba )
“I want these children to one day become tourist guides or work in hotels because they are proficient in English,” said the young man with two children.
Struggling with Various Challenges
Initiating and managing a course institution in a remote village was not easy for her.
He experienced so many challenges and problems, including very low parental support and never once received the attention of the local government.
Working alone with all the limitations, where the children’s learning building is inadequate, without chairs and tables, blackboards, let alone teaching aids or other supporting facilities.
“For me this is a big problem that must be faced with enthusiasm and fortitude,” said Petrus.
Fullers Properties team leader, Mr. Andy visited and prayed for one of the residents in Elomata Village, which is not far from the EGC Sumba complex. ( Special Photo )
Shallow understanding, especially differences in political views are sometimes brought along, where then on the basis of this thinking parents prohibit their children from participating in activities at EGC Sumba.
Moreover, for now he himself is a caregiver without anyone’s help, teaching alone, thinking alone, working alone because there is no financial support.
This is what makes her sad sometimes, because she only has a heart and sacrifices herself completely to serve.
He said, at the beginning of EGC Sumba’s existence, the response of parents and the community was very good as evidenced by the determination and support to build a learning building.
Condition of the EGC Sumba building at the beginning where this picture was taken on August 23 2017. ( Photo by Menara Sumba )
“However, the enthusiasm that erupted at the beginning did not last due to unfriendly situations and conditions,” he admits.
The enthusiasm of the parents was rekindled when the news broke that the EGC Sumba children would be visited by the Fullers Properties Team led by Mr. Andy.
This support is also very visible and evidenced by the formation of the management of the EGC Sumba parents committee which makes the children even more enthusiastic and enthusiastic.
He was frank, if throughout the existence of EGC Sumba, not once received support from donors even though the hope for it was always recited.
“My dream has just been answered, where God presents the big family of Team Fullers Properties, good people who want to share their love with us here,” said Petrus.
In the future, he intends to invite competent people to work together, although it cannot be forced if no one is willing to mingle in this social mission.
He continues to dream big about EGC Sumba with the determination to produce great, creative, innovative, and highly competitive people.
“I want them to be fluent in English even though they come from villages and rural areas,” he said. ( Julius Pira )
