Greetings from SUMBA #16

Tropically Warm Greetings from Sumba 🌞 🎄 ❤️

Hester Vanacker

Dec 24, 2023

CURRENT LOCATION: Sumba, Indonesia

LOCAL TIME: 20h00

LOCAL TEMPERATURE: 30 degrees

CURRENTLY READING: A girl is a body of water - Jennifer Mansubuga Makumbi

Hi there,

Warm end of the year greetings from Sumba. For me, this is to be taken literally, as it is still very hot and humid here. I try to tell myself that Christmas is just like any other day of the year, but psychologically it feels strange to be in a different environment and with different people than I'm used to. So what better way to combat homesickness than to look back on the last few weeks and all the great things I've experienced. So many things have happened that I don't even know where to start.

The joy of exploring, and a beautiful Sumba stone

Exploring Sumba

East Sumba with Vennie and Wee Kacura Waterfalls

Fresh pineapple juice with a view and some delish gado-gado

Exploring the island is an ongoing and fun journey. The island has so many beautiful things to offer and I love discovering (and rediscovering) my surroundings. Lately, I've been spending a lot of time at Oro beach. There's a lovely homestay there which serves amazing banana pancakes, and the beach is mostly private and a great place for snorkelling (a great alternative when I cannot go diving). I spend most Sunday mornings there reading and swimming. Together with Brechje and Alex, I also made a trip to Rua beach in the south of the island. Beach walks, fresh coconuts and refreshing swims made this three-day trip a nice escape from our normal daily routine on the island.

Farewell to Batch 7

On 24 November, we said goodbye to SHF’s Batch 7. The students had been working towards this day for months and the ceremony was beautiful and moving. They chose the theme “We are Sumbanese pioneers who are strong in unison” and impressed everyone present with their songs, dances and speeches. To put it in their own words: “See you at the top”! And I wish all 57 of them the best for their future, wherever it may take them. I accompanied 14 of them to Bali to take them to their placements and help them start a new chapter in their learning journey. Mom Hester was happy to deliver her 14 babies safely to SHF alumni who took them safely to their new accommodation.

A special visitor

On my return to Sumba, I brought someone very special with me: Irene. We had met briefly in Bali over a month ago, but now we were lucky enough to spend a week together in Sumba. With over 20 years of friendship, we can safely say that we have a very special bond. Ever since I started travelling for my studies or work, Irene has followed me. And the fact that I moved to the other side of the world hasn't stopped her from doing so. During her stay, I introduced her to my Sumbanese life: where to get the best gado-gado, the most beautiful beaches and my favourite sunset spots. It's priceless to have a close friend with me on Sumba, and I can't say enough how grateful I am that she came all this way. Thank you Irene, I really care so much for you!

Thoughts on my projects

Using empty beer bottles (which had been gathered over the years) to build a storage house for garden supplies with the students

Time is flying by and it’s crazy to write that I've already been in Sumba for six months. I'm really proud of all the things I've already done and I'm looking forward to continuing the same momentum in the new year. It's an incredible opportunity that this is my first job out of university, but it's also a great challenge. Dealing with cultural differences, a huge language barrier, island life, limited resources and a corrupt government is not easy, especially when you want to tackle sustainability issues. Sometimes I feel alone in my “fight". And I don’t want that. I don’t want to be alone, I want to work with the people around me. And I don’t want it to be a fight, even if it often feels like one.

Making reusable menstrual pads with the girls, to help fight menstrual poverty on the island

How many times can I repeat that they should stop using plastic bags or that our filtered tap water is safe to drink? The truth is that today's society encourages consumerism and it is a sign of wealth, status and prestige to buy and use plastic products, even if they are only for single use. Look at me, I can afford to buy something and then throw it away. And besides, who am I to judge? Another white person telling them what to do and what not to do.

Mangrove crocodile boat tour with Brechje and Irene

It’s thus an extreme fine line between standing up for something I believe in so strongly and respecting the local communities so that they can address the issue in their own way and within their means. That being said, I can't deny that the current climate and plastic crisis keeps me up at night, and although I am passionate about the issue, I have to admit that it can be very exhausting to work on it day in and day out.

So what are my plans for the new year? To continue to invest in myself and find a good balance between work and pleasure. I want to maintain my optimism and enjoyment of my work, being able to take a step back when I feel overwhelmed. Continuing my journey to discover the splendour of Sumba is a must and I look forward to the people who will visit me in 2024 (THE parents and THE one and only Laurie !!!).

I also want to keep writing these newsletters because they are an outlet for my thoughts and a great way to capture all the memories I'm making here. Because in all the hustle of daily life, I often forget to stop, take a deep breath and realise: Wow Hestie, you're living your dream! Oh and you should be proud of yourself!

So I repeat my tropically hot greetings from Sumba and wish you all a beautiful end of 2023, with an even better start of 2024!

Take care and talk soon,

Hestie -x-