We empower local youth through education
We are an international best practice in responsible tourism
We create environmental awareness
Sumba is one of the poorest regions in Indonesia. While tourism is gradually developing, we believe responsible tourism is the only way to protect this fragile island in a way local communities can benefit. To end the circle of poverty, we encourage young adults to dream big and empower them by education, training, and work experience. Last but not least, we aim to raise environmental awareness with students, tourists, and local communities.
Sumba needs you. We kindly invite you to get involved by offering many volunteering possibilities or ways to donate. However, most of all, we encourage you to visit Sumba and enjoy the beauty of this Island and its people in a responsible way.
Change a life by sponsoring a student’s education and internship or help out on a smaller scale. Your donations make a difference.
Visit Sumba and enjoy the beauty of this Island and its people in a responsible way. Book a room at Maringi, our small resort with a big heart.
Over the years, volunteers have been a cornerstone for Sumba Hospitality Foundation. Volunteering on Sumba or remote, it’s all possible.
Enjoy inspiring stories of beautiful Sumba, our activities, and our charming students as our blog takes you behind the scenes of Sumba, the foundation, and our social projects Maringi and Makan Dulu.
Creating partnerships for sustainability The Sumba Hospitality Foundation is all about sustainability and community service. In that spirit, our students recently joined forces with other groups and businesses near Kawona Beach. SHF students collaborated ...
We are proud to be able to count the best of the best among our preferred partners. Most have welcomed our students for several years in a row and are employing alumni as we speak. ...
The Wai Humba Festival is an annual, traditional festival of Sumba that aims to protect the environment, especially the water sources of the island. The main basis of the Wai Hulba Festival is a reflection ...
With our projects, we aim to touch all corners of the island to create impact from within the most distant villages. These are the areas that have been positively impacted already.
Hover you mouse over the map of Sumba to find out more about Sumba Hospitality Foundations work with the people of Sumba.
We are involved in Sumbanese Society at all levels, from collaboration with local government to working directly with the communities of Sumba.
Southwest Sumba is the most populous region of Sumba. In its capital Tambolaka, you’ll find Sumba Hospitality Foundation’s offices, as well as our social enterprises: Makan Dulu (restaurant) and Maringi (resort).
South Sumba has always been a hidden gem for surfers. The endless stretches of beach are stunning. Here you can find Nihi, a unique 5-star resort, and an important partner of Sumba Hospitality Foundation since day one.
Central Sumba has a lot to offer: the most amazing waterfalls are hidden all over this central part of Sumba. Although not densely populated, students from several villages in this region have found their way to our school.
East Sumba is the largest, and probably the most traditional region of the Island. It hosts Sumba’s biggest city, Waingapu, as well as countless traditional villages, and the enchanting landscapes of Bukit Wairinding.
Young people are the future of Sumba. Only they can end the circle of poverty. That is why we not only encourage young adults to dream big, we also empower them by education, training, and work experience. We run a hotel school and educational training restaurant for the underprivileged youth of Sumba.
Next to general and vocational education, our students enjoy on-the-job training at our social projects: Maringi, a small training resort with 5-star service, and Makan Dulu, a one-of-a-kind training restaurant specializing in Indonesian food with a Sumbanese flair.
Every year, our graduates start their new lives either with a 6-month internship in renowned hotels or restaurants or immediately finding employment in well-established businesses. Whichever path they take, one thing is for certain, their lives will never be the same.
Tourism on Sumba is gradually and steadily developing. If left unchecked, it could easily threaten the unspoiled landscapes and ancient culture that Sumba possesses. However, tourism can also be an incredible opportunity. We believe responsible tourism is the only way to protect undeveloped islands in a way local communities can benefit. Sumba has everything to become a world leader in responsible tourism development.
We educate young people with necessary hospitality skills and we collaborate with governments, communities, and investors on environmental conservation, zoning, and long-term planning. With our social projects, Maringi and Makan Dulu, we lead by example.
We aim to raise environmental awareness with students, tourists, and local communities. And, we show the way. You might have seen us on a trash walk to the beach or around town, but most of our efforts are less visible. Our buildings are all made from fast-growing bamboo. The whole campus and resort are off-the-grid, powered by 288 solar panels.
We re-use 90% of our wastewater and don’t use chemicals. A large part of our terrain is dedicated to the growth and maintenance of a sustainable, organic farm. At the farm, we teach students and the local community new organic farming methods, with long-term sustainability in mind.
