Kupang fishermen need help<\/p>\n
Forgive me any fellow Australians reading this but I must say
\nI have seen more slightly eccentric Australians in Kupang, East
\nNusa Tenggara than I have ever seen anywhere else. Including
\nmyself!<\/p>\n
All of us senior citizens trying to escape from the \"TV
\nculture society\" back into a familiar, simpler, lifestyle.
\nHowever we do complicate life for the locals by trying to impose
\n\"European thinking\" on Southeast Asian culture.<\/p>\n
At the other end of the spectrum the young backpackers are
\nmore adaptable and do not \"advise and instruct\". Their way of
\nlife sometimes does not give the good example their home
\ncountries could wish. However I love them much and see them as
\nthe hope for the world, uniting people of all countries and
\ncultures.<\/p>\n
When I first came to Kupang in 1985 just as a neighbor
\n\"dropping in to get to know you\". Kupang was friendly and kind
\nand poor.<\/p>\n
Over the years the Indonesian government has brought progress
\nto this region. The kindness remains. My thanks to all who have
\nhelped me during my stay.<\/p>\n
My special interest lies in the Makassar fishing families of
\nPepela Rote island in East Nusa Tenggara and Sulawesi, oil in the
\nTimor Sea and Australia's closure of some of their Timor Sea
\nfishing areas. Also rulings that others can still be fished but
\nare undersailed have brought poverty and the loss of both boats
\nand men in cyclones while afterwards there should be sea and air
\nsearches for the missing boats.<\/p>\n
Indonesia-Australia coordinated home aquiculture programs and
\nfish processing factories in Kupang and Bau Bau are urgently
\nneeded. Actually a survey of all the Indonesian fishing areas and
\na program for them is required.<\/p>\n
I am from Tasmania, Australia, the island of \"mountains and
\nfishermen\" and I know fishing. Fishery problems are the same in
\nall countries.<\/p>\n
Joint ventures and trade programs of Australia should help the
\nfishermen. Such programs have mostly gone where the most money
\ncan be made and the most development and progress ensue. However,
\nAustralia has a responsibility to these fishermen. Also fisheries
\nare a source of national income when fully and properly
\ndeveloped.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, fishermen's widows and children need assistance.
\nCities such as Kupang, Bau Bau and Kendari need craft centers
\nwhere village craft teachers can be trained and crafts made in
\nthe villages can be sold.<\/p>\n
Dharma Wanita is good but it is more of a \"status program\"
\nthan a commercial one. It is a commercial one that is needed.<\/p>\n
VONNY HELBERG O.A.M.<\/p>\n
Pepela Island<\/p>\n
East Nusa Tenggara<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kupang-fishermen-need-help-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }