From 13 to 15 December 2024, 113 Syuradikara Ende High School students participated in a live-in activity in Detusoko Village, Ende Regency. This activity is part of a contextual learning programme that aims to introduce students to rural communities, strengthen social values, and instill a spirit of solidarity and care.
For three days, the students lived with a family in Detusoko and followed their daily activities. Two of the students wrote the following reflections.
(I)
This was my first experience living in quite a long time. I felt awkward and confused to do an activity since I lived with people who were not my family. But praise the Lord Jesus; everything went perfectly without any obstacles. From this live-in activity, I can feel how to live in the middle of a rural community and how difficult it is for rural communities to do activities that still have minimal transportation. This “live-in” impressed me because my foster parents and others treated us with great affection, like their children. While in Detusoko, the air temperature is very calm and suitable for a vacation in such cool weather. This is a relatively long live-in experience for me, and it is delightful to live for a long time in the middle of the community.
This “live-in” means that a location difference between rural and urban areas is not an obstacle for us to behave similarly. Also, a family bond, togetherness, is still well maintained, and the bond is powerful from this life of strengthening our brotherhood with rural communities. From “live in”, we also get the meaning of life in simplicity, living as it is, and it gives us a simple meaning of happiness, which can also help us live independently. Overall, the meaning obtained is that we are more open to social reality, appreciate life more and strengthen relationships between each other and nature (Maria Yosanta Grecele Ema- XI)
(II)
Before leaving for Detusoko, I felt anxious, afraid and enthusiastic about facing the new environment. However, during my life in Detusoko, I learned a lot from the community, such as simplicity. Besides, I also learned about the culture; I felt amazed and happy to be able to adapt and see the beauty of Detusoko. After the live-in finished, I missed the people there. I feel grateful because they accept us so well, like their children. My feelings were changed. I was initially full of fear and adaptation before but now become so close to society and the environment.
Furthermore, the most impressive experience during the live-in was the togetherness. In the evening, we told stories while playing cards with the foster mother. We also helped the foster mother cook and clean the house while occasionally joking with the foster mother.
Then, the challenges I faced in life were the simplicity of the facilities, namely power failure and no water, the weather was constantly raining, and the temperature was freezing. Even though these challenges were very difficult to overcome, we had experience learning, growing, developing, and understanding. I overcome the simplicity that exists in Detusoko by being patient, having a good attitude, being open to learning, maintaining physical and mental health and establishing good relationships; every obstacle becomes a learning process that can provide self-understanding and leave many moments behind. The most memorable one that will ever be forgotten. This moment also became an example of a valuable lesson for myself and others (Icha Wasa (X/8).
Editor: Fr. Aris Mada, SVD
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