PMD Department Head of Rote Ndao District, Yames M.K Therik, SH along with the group visited one of TLM Foundation’s assisted village, Benlutu Village, Batu Putih Sub-district, South Central Timor District in the last Tuesday (25/2/2020).

The comparative study group that consists of 18 Village Heads from Lobalain Sub-district, East Rote and South Rote was accompanied by PMD Department Head of Rote Ndao, Head of Sub-district Lobalain and some staff of TLM Foundation arrived at Benlutu Village at around 15.30 pm and happily welcomed by the community and government of Benlutu village.

During the visit, the PMD Department Head of Rote Ndao, Yames M.K Therik, SH conveyed the purpose of their study visit was so that the Village Head could learn about the tips and strategies to establish a profitable BUMDESA with good and healty management system in administration.

“We got information that Benlutu Village has a BUMDESA Mart with good management, assisted by Tanaoba Lais Manekat Foundation (TLM) so we are here to learn how the strategies were developed so its BUMDESA can run well” said Yames

He further mentioned his plan after returned from Benlutu village, he wanted to encourage the Village Heads in Rote Ndao to establish joint BUMDESA Mart in Rote Ndao District for community because during the time they have to go to Ba’a city to buy their daily needs

“We come to learn BUMDESA system in Benlutu Village because we just find out that its management and implementation of activity is running well so in this free learning opportunity, we will adopt the tips applied and then adjust it with the condition in Rote” he concluded

Yames also expected that the visit would not only as be a study visit but it could establish a fraternal relationship so that the communication and TLM’s assistance with the village government of Benlutu could also be carried out in Rote Ndao district, from planning, establishment to BumDEsa operations to be assisted by the TLM Foundation which had been successful accompany BumDes Talenta Mart in Benlutu Village.

“Positive things that are interesting and become a force to be brought home to Rote are good experience stories from the BumDes Talenta director that in building a business there must be optimism, courage to take risks, have adequate human resources, have a good system and have enough capital “Close Yames.

Separately, one of the comparative study participants, Renward Semuel Lolu, Head of Lakamola Village, Rote Timur District expressed his gratitude to TLM and the Benlutu Village Government who were willing to welcome them to study for free at BumDes Mart Benlutu.

The knowledge that I have gained during this study visit will be used as an experience for me to develop in the Village of Lakamola because this year there has been an equity participation in BumDes, but it has not yet run “said Renward.

Similar recognition was conveyed by the Lobalain Sub-District Head who also accompanied the village heads during the visit stating, “the best thing in Bumdes Talenta Mart Benlutu is that it already has a system so that all records of buying and selling transactions are recorded properly and can produce reports such as a clear balance sheet where it has illustrated loss / profits, also the management system with Periodic Assistance from the TLM foundation is so effective that it makes the Bumdes Mart Talenta Benlutu as an example”.

It should be noted that TLM Foundation assistance for the village of Benlutu began in early 2019 in programs such as; water infrastructure programs, assistance and training in the implementation of village laws for officials and the community, the formation of productive garden groups, home industry and handicraft training and the establishment of BumDesa from planning to operations.

As an active participation in developing collaboration with partner village or assisted village, In the beginning of 2020 TLM Foundation facilitates 2019 Accountancy of Talenta Mart BUM Desa in Benlutu Village, Batu Putih Sub-district, TTS.

The meeting was held for one day in village office meeting room (Wednesday 15/01/2020), attended by village officials, Region Development Department, community representatives and Batu Putih sub-district empowerment assistant.

TLM Foundation transformation division head, Ferdy Frans mentioned that the meeting is to discuss on accountability report of end product of Talenta BUMDesa 2019 and to agree on several things such Talenta BUMDesa work plan 2020 which the income projected to reach 30 million rupiah.

To reach the number, Benlutu village chief, Obed Fallo commits to add more budget as capital of at least 50 million for Talenta Mart which is allocated from Benlutu income of 2020.

Aside from that, some strategic plans about BUMDesa such management, new business development and how to support village’s role were also discussed at the meeting to make Talenta BumDesa as community’s business central

The village chief affirmed to create village regulation that can help in actualizing BUM Desa’s purpose to be the only business gate for village community.

In implementing technical assistant for village government, especially for BUM Desa, TLM Foundation hopes that Talenta BUM Desa management will be able to undertake BUM Desa organization procedure according to regulation and provide a forum for BUM Desa and village

This was stated by TLM Foundation, Rozali Hussein in the meeting. He also supports Talenta BUM Desa Management to be proactive in developing the business.

“Management should be creative and innovative. It should be active in developing this business by paying attention to potential and opportunity in village as well as expand business links with competent partners. The business expansion should also cognize business plan to consider all profit and loss aspect of a business.” Explained Rozali

All related parties support and motivate BUM Desa management to excess the target and they will get bonus percentage for their achievement.