Project management of large scale construction projects.
Where did you first hear of Indonesia and more specifically
about Sumba?
In 1973 I was transferred from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia by
Brown & Root International (a major American multinational
construction firm), the construction company that I was working
for at the time. The project site I was assigned to was on
the beach in Anyer, West Java. On my time off I often traveled
to Bali and in 1974 I started to build my own house in Kuta.
I became interested in Sumba first as a collector of ikat
and traveled there in 1978 to buy Sumbanese blankets to add
to my collection.
How did you ever get it into your head to start a hotel in
Sumba?
It was planned by my wife Petra and I while we were living
in Seattle. The concept was born from our frustration at not
having a beach resort to go to that offered what we wanted
from our vacations, that is a variety of challenging sports
activities in a remote setting that could also cater to the
non-sporting partner. We had been skiing a lot and as you
know ski resorts can offer a wide variety of activities, in
comfort and style. This was missing at the time (1986) in
remote island destinations.
What difficulties did you face when first starting your resort?
The list is long on this one but in short: cultural barriers,
language, access, logistics, financial and earthquakes. Let’s
not forget that my wife Petra and I did all of this together
with me so it would not be fair for me to take all of the
credit for what we have achieved.
How does the Nihiwatu Hotel differ from other resorts in Indonesia?
In our opinion we differ because we have created something
meaningful out of a nearly impossible situation. When we started
developing Nihiwatu in 1989 it took two and a half days of
arduous travel to reach our site. There were no roads, water
or electricity and the villagers had never seen any foreigners
in the area. We had to create the access that now allows our
guests to be dining at Nihiwatu within three and a half hours
after leaving Bali. In my opinion we have the best and most
exclusive beach in the country and I would dare say in the
region. We have a large 468 acre property, yet with only six
luxury bungalows and two villas we are a very small and intimate
resort. Our guests have the widest choice of real adventure
activities available to them that is hard for other Indonesian
resorts to match. And most importantly we are in the forefront
of responsible tourism. No one in the tourism industry is
doing what we are achieving via our Sumba Foundation.
What is the main mission of The Sumba Foundation?
In a word, to ease the burden of poverty on the island.
What infrastructure projects has the foundation successfully
completed?
So far we have drilled water wells in 13 villages, our wells
now supplying clean drinking water to more than 3,000 people.
Before the women and children from these villages had to walk
miles each way to collect water by buckets from small and
often dirty springs. By not having to dedicate most of their
day to sourcing water these women and children can now be
more productive in their villages. We have found that many
of the children who used to help their mothers fetch water
are now enrolled in school and the women are able to spend
more time weaving the blankets that are such an important
part of their culture and economy.
Are you also involved in human services?
We also have a health division that has constructed 3 clinics
and supports another four. All are supplied with medicines
and medical equipment; we also train the staff with the help
of foreign doctors who volunteer to help. Together, the clinics
provide a safety net for some 10,000 of the poorest people
on the island. In addition to our clinic projects we have
donated more than US$250,000 in medical equipment to the 3
West Sumbahospitals. One of the most important initiatives
in our health program is combating malaria. So far we have
been able to cut infection rates in the villages we are working
in by 50%, our target is 70% by the end of this year. We are
fortunate to have one of the leading malaria experts working
with us on this and our project is now attracting a lot of
international attention. In fact our program has been chosen
to be highlighted in an upcoming documentary movie as the
best example of low cost solutions to combating malaria, a
disease that is devastating the lives of millions of poor
people worldwide and certainly the major cause of death on
Sumba.
On the education front we have 1,100 children in 4 rural primary
schools that we support. This includes the distribution of
school supplies to each child at the start of every semester,
uniforms, tables and chairs, routine eye testing and glasses
given to those that need them. We have renovated the school
buildings so that they are safe and useable, and we have supplied
them with water and toilets. In Waikabubak, we have set up
the first computer lab by donating 16 computers to the high
school.
What are your personal hobbies and interests?
I am an avid surfer and skier. Aside from that my life is
dedicated to helping the Sumbanese people via Sumba Foundation
projects and to create Nihiwatu into something even more special
than it already is.
Claude Graves may be contacted vis his email address: claude@nihiwatu.com.
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Copyright@2005 Al Hickey
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