Ambon, arifin, agus and arif. Coming from surabaya to help us build this school, which we no longer have to name. Today, they shared with us their perspective of this unique experience. Without these four souls, we would not be where we are today, one month before the inauguration.
Good morning form East Sumba to all of you,
Their names are Ambon, Arifin, Agus and Arif. Those four incredible Kawans are coming from Surabaya to help us build this school, which we no longer have to name #RebuildMbiuDita. Today, they shared with us their perspective of this unique experience.
“-I’m Arifin, I have worked for a contractor company in Jawa Timur named KNA, for 15 years. One day, our employer told us that we were going to join a construction site in Sumba. He also tells us that this site is different from others; the people who work there are the community for which this school is built. They, therefore, do not have any construction experience said Arifin.
We are used to working for big developers, villas, hotels, shopping centres and mainly on the island of Bali. So we didn’t know what to expect at all with those few pieces of information…
With no more notice than, we set off. Team A first, which takes care of the steel structure, then the second team two weeks later. Arrived on the site of #RebuildMbinuDita, it would be an understatement to say; it’s really very different from what we have known. First, the road to reach #RebuildMbinuDita, I had nausea and a bad headache the first time we drove from Waingapu. The roads are not roads, they are unsteady, and it shakes a lot! We had to go back to Waingapu every night and come back every morning on site. It took us a lot of energy and time, but we had no other choice.
No water or electricity on the construction site at first. So it was not only technically challenging to work, but also to live there. Therefore, we builded our own house; made from the ruins of the old school.
Communication with the community of volunteers is a real challenge; they have no experience in any construction fields; they come here as a volunteer. Hence, we have to take the time to teach every one of them each step; it requires a lot of patience and personal investment. So after a few days, we honestly wanted to go home; the difficulties seemed too numerous, and we did not expect to assume all these responsibilities.
When we look back now, or in front of us, of our eyes; we see this building, the school, taking shape. Every morning when we wake up in what has become our home, the volunteers arrive in the morning and start cooking for us in this kitchen that we also have built it all makes sense. For the first time, people cook for us every day on the site, and this kitchen has genuinely become ours, as has this house.
Of course, we had to deal with lots of problems, had to find solutions quickly, take more initiatives than ever, become more autonomous and rely on our team. We cannot understand the realities and the difficulties we encounter on the ground until we get to the top of this hill.
What motivates us every day to continue, to give the best of ourselves is to see the investment of each one. Knowing that so many people are involved in this project, starting with my three friends standing next to me, our company, the foundations, and the whole community. So when someone asks me now if I still want to go home, the answer is definitely no. »
Arifin, Mbinu Dita, October 7, 2020
When we asked them what they will take away the most from this experience, which at the beginning was just another “job” that turned into daily social work, Arifin responded with one word: « Asik! » Which means « awesome! »
Without these four souls, we would not be where we are today, one month before the inauguration. Thanks to them, and thanks to the tremendous support of Mr Matius from KNA @dragonlasercutting!
To help us, to help them, you can make a donation here. Or make a bank donation to one of the two Swiss foundation accounts here by following this link.
Thank you so much for your interest and benevolence for the #BangunMbinuDita project Kawan’s.
