Survay I Desa Bere Flores

Journey from Lombok to Flores

After a week-long journey from Lombok through Sumbawa, we finally arrived in Flores, specifically at Pelabuhan Bajo, and continued to Ruteng. Following our goal to survey underdeveloped villages, we followed the directions of Mr. DPR Sypriaurs and his wife, Mrs. Maria, whom we met earlier at Hotel Labuan Bajo. Upon arriving in Ruteng, we were warmly welcomed by Mrs. Eny, the wife of the head of BAPEDA Ruteng, along with her daughter Icha and a social worker named Wympi.

Next, we headed to Bere Village. There, we were greeted by the village head and held a meeting with the villagers from several hamlets.

One by one, they expressed their grievances. One mother said, “Our lives are very hard, we have to break stones… We don’t know what rice fields are. Our children live on cassava and sweet potatoes… We need a hospital… How can we send our children to school if poverty keeps pressing us… No money when sick…” A young mother added, “It’s very difficult to fetch water, we have to walk 7-8 km carrying 7 jerry cans. After a long journey, the children are still waiting in hunger, when to cook… when to work in the garden…”

I was deeply moved by their stories, unable to hold back tears when a pregnant mother shared her situation. The auxiliary health center is quite far, about 8 km from her house, no vehicle, and walking is very far for a pregnant woman. When she reached the health post, often the midwife or nurse was not there. Once she tried again, walking far from home, reaching the health post, there was one midwife, but no equipment and medicine, and had to pay, while she had no money. Finally, without examination and empty-handed, she returned home exhausted.

This experience traumatized pregnant women there from going to the health post again, and they never received vaccinations, nor did their children. Most of them give birth with traditional birth attendants. Many children suffer from malnutrition. According to the village head, there are 25 children with severe malnutrition and 66 children with moderate malnutrition. Most children there only finish elementary school, only a few can reach high school.

The condition of Bere Village is very poor and concerning. The elementary school is far, about 7-10 km from the village. School children do not have enough clothes, wearing the same uniform for a week. Some wear shoes, sandals, and some are barefoot. Books are also incomplete, only carrying notebooks and pencils, some without bags.

The health post is far and sometimes there is a midwife or nurse, but the medicine and equipment are incomplete. The land mixed with rocks cannot be planted with rice, only cassava and corn. One worrying issue is the landslide that threatens two villages below. Rarely there are toilets (bathrooms), water is hard to get, they bathe in the river 7-8 km away carrying 4-7 jerry cans. Water is only enough for cooking, drinking, and bathing the children. A mother with three children said her children bathe 3-4 times a week, so many children there suffer from scabies.

Putu Etiartini