Weetebula, December 15, 2024 – The Reflective Workshop of Kolping Sumba, themed “Kolping in Sumba, Towards Kolping from Sumba”, was successfully held on December 14-15, 2024, at Wisma Kolping Weetebula. The event was attended by the leadership of Kolping Sumba, Presidents of Kolping Families, and invited sympathizers and friends, aiming to formulate the direction and strategy for Kolping in Sumba in the coming years.
The workshop began with a welcoming speech from Jemsi Mandeta, the Secretary of Kolping Sumba, who appreciated the participants’ presence and emphasized the importance of collective reflection to strengthen Kolping Karya in Sumba. Paulce Parera, Coordinator of the Task Force of Kolping Indonesia, served as the main facilitator of the event. In his presentation titled “Kolping in Sumba, Towards Kolping from Sumba”, Paulce revisited the history of Adolph Kolping and compared it with the contemporary social movements of the time, such as Marxism, which emerged during the Industrial Revolution.
Adolph Kolping was seen as choosing the path of evolution of the heart, in response to the social revolution promoted by Marxism. “Adolph Kolping chose the path of the evolution of the heart, responding to Marx’s revolutionary movement,” said Paulce, explaining how Kolping viewed social change from a moral and spiritual perspective, in contrast to the more materialistic approach of Marxism.
After the presentation, the participants were divided into three discussion groups to delve deeper into the local wisdom of Sumba that could serve as the foundation and direction for Kolping in Sumba moving forward. One of the key outcomes of the discussion was the emergence of Wanno, which was seen as the philosophy of life for the people of Sumba, reflecting cooperation, harmony, and sustainability. The concept of Wanno was then agreed upon as the foundation for Kolping’s programs in Sumba.
In the following discussion, the main programs that aligned with the philosophy of Wanno were identified, including: Arisan/UBSP (Mutual Aid Savings and Loan), Agriculture and livestock, Skills training, Youth Program and Utilization of Kolping assets in Sumba.
These programs were seen as practical steps to empower the community and create social and economic sustainability in Sumba in accordance with the principles of Wanno, which emphasizes communal cooperation and respect for nature and ancestors.
On Sunday afternoon, the event was closed with a Holy Mass led by Father Yanus. In his homily, Father Yanus expressed gratitude for the impressive outcomes of the discussions. “Wanno, as the philosophy of life for the people of Sumba, has become an important part of the journey of Kolping in Sumba. Joy, as the core message of the Third Sunday of Advent Gospel, invites us to bring Kolping from Sumba as a joy to the community, to Kolping members,” he said, encouraging all participants to strengthen Kolping as a source of happiness and sustainability for the Sumba community.
This workshop is expected to be a pivotal moment for Kolping Sumba in formulating strategic steps that not only focus on modern social and economic principles but also preserve and protect the local wisdom of Sumba, leading to sustainable and meaningful changes for the community.
