Sumberkima soon to be famous

Sumberkima soon to be famous

BULELENG, North Bali (JP): With not much natural resources,
Sumberkima village is only but a poor village in the western part
of Buleleng regency. However, if everything goes according to
plans, its fate might take a turn for the better.

The planned construction of Lt.Col. Wisnu airfield is bringing
fresh hope to the poor villagers.

Buleleng Regent Ketut Wirata Sindhu hopes the construction of
the airfield will create employment for the local people. "I hope
some day, one of children here would become a pilot," the regent
said.

The construction of the airfield is also expected to usher in
the construction of hotels and other real estate development,
thereby boosting the economic activities of the villagers who are
mostly fishermen and farmers.

Due to their poverty, some of the villagers have resorted to
illegal means to earn money such as using cyanide to capture
ornamental fish or selling protected coral reefs. Some villagers
have moved to other cities to make a living.

With their poor educational background -- only about 70
percent of them have elementary and junior high school education
-- the villagers have very few job options.

The villagers who comprise local Balinese Hindus and Muslims
from Java, Madura and Sulawesi nevertheless live in peace.

With its infertile and dry fields, Sumberkima has lagged
behind other villages such as Pemuteran and Sumber Klampok, which
are now seen as potential tourist resorts. Hopefully a new
airfield will change all that. (Pariama Hutasoit)