Greetings from SUMBA #19

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CURRENT LOCATION: Sumba, Indonesia

LOCAL TIME: 10h30

LOCAL TEMPERATURE: 30 degrees

CURRENTLY READING: Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie

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Hi there,

It hasn’t been that long since my last newsletter—one that was quite different from how I usually write, but so deeply aligned with how I felt at that moment. I received so many kind responses, and let me make one thing clear: yes, I’m doing well. The lows are just part of a journey filled with highs.

Today is about making amends and piecing things together—literally and figuratively.

“Ibu, I loved your class” | Patching together the results of my sustainability classes

Natural Dyeing in Bali

After teaching my weekly sustainability class yesterday, one of my students came up to me and said, “Teacher, I loved your class. I think I really like sustainability.” Hallelujah! Such a small moment, but what an energy boost.

I love teaching sustainability, but I sometimes forget just how new this topic is for my students. When I ask them, they all confirm they’ve never learned anything about it before. That makes introducing these concepts extra challenging, not just because of language barriers, but because it’s a completely unfamiliar subject. So when I start rambling about greenhouse gases, human activities, and fossil fuels, I need to remind myself that their puzzled expressions, their hesitation to interact, or their struggles to recite new definitions aren’t signs of boredom (though I suspect the ones openly yawning might feel differently).

Proud students and teacher!

Instead of frustration, I should be patient. I need to bridge the gap in a way that makes sense to them, connecting it to Sumba, where rain is becoming scarce, temperatures are rising, and water shortages are a growing threat, all while floods still have the power to destroy homes.

Once again, my students are teaching me how to be a better teacher. And while I still get frustrated when they haven’t reviewed the lesson or don’t sort the trash as diligently as I’d like, I remind myself that anything is better than nothing. Slowly but surely, they’re finding their way in caring for the island they call home, and I get to play a small part in that.

“Ibu, now I also love sampah” | Patching fabric leftovers together

Last week, I spent another two days with the weavers of Karaja for the upcycling hub I started with Asty. Their progress is impressive, fast learners with high-quality finishing skills. But more than that, their motivation is incredible. They want to learn, experiment, and develop their upcycling techniques.

This time, we worked on sewing zippers, threading an overlock machine, and testing out linings. And then came a moment that made my heart swell—one of the seamstresses looked up and said, “Ibu, now I also love sampah (trash).” Meaning that from now on, whenever she sews something, she keeps all the fabric cutoffs, excited to repurpose them. What can I say? Mission accomplished.

With just a few instructions, they already know what to do. I’m beyond proud of how much they’ve achieved in such a short time. My hope is that little by little, they gain more independence, until eventually, they won’t need me at all.

“Ibu Bumi” | Making amends with myself and others

After a difficult period where I felt quite isolated, these past weeks have been about finding balance again. Work is work, but without some downtime, it just becomes an escape. So, I made time for myself, took trips, went out for dinner, hosted parties, sang karaoke, and laughed a lot. And without these moments, I can’t do my job properly. If my heart isn’t in it, then what’s the point?

That’s why I’m grateful for Kini walking into my office at the end of the day, saying, “Ibu, lesgo. Enough for today.” Enough indeed. Lesgo.

In the meantime, I’ve booked my return trip to Europe for July and August—something I’m really looking forward to. But for now, I am happy to be enjoying Sumba.

Talk soon,

Hestie -x-