Summing up Wangkung findings

After 70 years of activity, the missionaries left Wankung around year 2000. They had made huge contributions to the society, for example on education, agricultural activity, and general funding. During the time of the missionary presence, the church received support (collect) from the villagers and the villagers got help in return.

But this support has decreased. The church has therefore lost some of its position and importance. When people said that the Romo was the most important person in Wangkung, it could have a connection with us living at Romo`s house, but that is just an assumption...

When it comes to who is the most important person in Wangkung, the Romo, Tua Golo, or Kepala Desa, there are different opinions. Some say that they are equally important, while others point out one of them in particular. When they say Romo, it is because they think the church is the most important institution in the society, and when others say Tua Golo it is because they think that traditions and culture play the most important role in their lives.

As we see it, the biggest obstacles Wangkung faces when it comes to development, are the location and infrastructure. They are not that far from the main road, but as a village in the mountains they need four-wheel-drive vehicles or motorcycles to get there. The road to Wangkung is in a bad condition, and very vulnerable for rain and erosion.

They receive fundings from the government to develop the infrastructure, but the general opinion in the society is that the money disappears somewhere in the system. They did not use the word corruption, but from our point of view, that was exactly what it was.

Because of the location and the infrastructure, the villagers do not get the opportunities they need for development. There is no electricity, only a few generators and a solar panel. Telephone connection and Internet are unknown. That places them outside the globalized world.

As we see it, infrastructure is the most urgent need to achieve development. That will give them information and education, which will make them able to take part in the Indonesian and global society.

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