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We have been fortunate in the past to interview Marsel, a good friend and Flores local, who owns and runs a Bali tour company, introducing travellers to the beautiful islands of Flores. Marsel told us about his local primary school that needs new tables and chairs for its 120 students. The primary school takes children from five surrounding villages, with many students walking a two-hour round-trip to get to and from school.
The school and villages are remote, inaccessible by car, and not easily reached by motorbike either for that matter. During wet season, the only way in or out is by foot. During medical emergencies, for example for pregnant women or if someone is sick, they rely on community members to carry them on the one hour journey along the rough path to the main road. There they can get the ‘taxi truck’ to drive them another bumpy hour and half to the nearest hospital. It makes you wonder how many babies have been born en-route.
Our adventure started early, as our group including Marsel, his family Robi and Iren, and Clare from The Travellist for Love Komodo, headed off at 6am to begin the long journey to the school. It’s a three-hour trip there with much of the road only suitable for trail bikes. It’s bumpy and rocky and in some places completely eroded by the rain, years of heavy traffic and lack of road maintenance or repairs.
We made lots of stops along the way, for coffee and breaks from the bumpy roads, plus there were so many opportunities for spectacular photos. But finally we made it to the meeting point at a village near the school. The truck was there as were so many of the students and people from the village, aseveryone came out to see what was going on. The truck was unloaded, and the students all carried several chairs each on their heads as they walked an hour to the school. At this point, the road is inaccessible to the truck so people transport is the only option, and it’s worth noting that some of these kids were as young as seven years old.
We arrived at the school and Clare was not embarrassed to admit, she had tears and a lump in her throat when she saw the whole school had come out to greet them, immaculate in their uniforms and traditional clothes. They performed a welcome dance and ceremony that was truly beautiful – the joy on the kids faces as they danced, and the giggles as they snuck a peak at this tall Western woman, made Clare’s day. Pak Roni and Ibu Yati were gracious hosts and we can’t thank them enough for inviting Clare into their school.
We were invited to lunch and Clare sat and listened as Marsel and the school leaders discussed important matters, like the state of the roads, the environment, and of course the kids needs at school. Clare’s very proud to be part of The Voice of Flores team who were able to contribute to the new tables and chairs, and we have also committed to assisting with new books and pencils for the kids. All of this new and much needed equipment will arrive at the school via the ‘taxi truck’ and be carried to the school again by the same smiling children.
Most households in these villages do not have any fresh running water. During wet season this is manageable, but after six months without rain, water runs low and someone from each house must walk up to 5kms every day balancing a pole and heavy containers across their head or shoulders to fill with fresh water. In the heat, over what could be described as a very rocky and steep path at best. Clare has never had to consider how the condition of a road or lack of running water could threaten her health and safety, but in these villages, this is the reality. Safe drinking water, roads and electricity are services we often take for granted in cities and towns. A lack of electricity for a few hours or longer, is more of an inconvenience than a permanent way of life. However here in these villages, the majority of homes have no electricity at all and those that do, only have electricity for a few hours a day.
Clare have been very fortunate to have met and worked with some truly incredible and passionate people, and spending this time with Marsel at his school, gave her an insight into his commitment to help the villages he calls home. Already feeling emotional about her visit, the school then said it had been an honour to meet her, and presented her with a stunning Manggarai sarong. Through Marsel’s translation and Clare’s tears, Clare told them that the honour was in fact all hers, and they would be forever in her thoughts. Clare’s not sure if her tears embarrassed Marsel but she didn’t have time to ask, before we were back on the bumpy road and trail bike ride to Marsel’s home.
Ignasius and Margereta, Marsel’s parents, couldn’t have made Clare feel more welcome, and invited us to stay and share a meal with the whole family. Despite the language barrier, it was so lovely to listen to their stories and learn more about villages like this where people live on the land and have a deep respect for the environment upon which their livelihood and health depend. Sadly, a lack of time meant that we couldn’t stay as long as we would have liked, but Clare would certainly love to visit and stay longer next time. Clare want to say a huge thank you to Marsel’s family for being so wonderful and taking her into their home.
The day was life changing for Clare, meeting such beautiful people and learning about a way of life so different to her own. The landscape was breathtaking, and unlike anything else she have ever seen. The coast and blue ocean of Labuan Bajo giving way to rice terraces as far as the eye can see, and then thick green jungle, offering welcome relief from the heat. Wild monkeys ran around us, we rode through creeks and rivers, and some of the steep roads had Clare just holding on, closing her eyes and hoping for the best. Flores is truly a magical and spectacular place and you simply MUST visit, but be prepared to fall in love hard and never want to leave.
Written by the team from The Travellist Indonesia (https://the-travellist.com/ and https://thetravellistindonesia.com/) on behalf of Love Komodo.