Lessons from Misool: Stories of Mentoring and the Meaning Behind Them

Hello! My name is Krisna Yoga Wisesa, but people usually call me Yoga. I’m currently in my sixth semester at Matana University, majoring in tourism. This semester, the university requires us to do an internship (PKL). I was lucky to get the chance to learn and gain experience at Indecon.

To be honest, when I first found out I would intern at Indecon, I doubted myself a little. During college, I mostly focused on the culinary field—learning recipes, cooking techniques, and even culinary business management in detail. Meanwhile, Indecon works more in sustainable tourism and destination development. That felt like a completely different world to me.

But just because it’s different doesn’t mean I know nothing about tourism. In my major, there are some courses that cover general tourism topics. However, the lessons are still quite basic and not very in-depth. That’s why I felt I needed real-life experience in the field. I didn’t want to graduate only knowing one area. It would be a waste if I spent all my time in college focusing on culinary without ever really understanding tourism from another perspective. So, I see this internship as an opportunity to learn something new. Through my time at Indecon, I hope to see firsthand how sustainable tourism is managed, how local communities are empowered, and how tourism can bring benefits without harming nature or culture.

On April 27, 2025, Indecon gave me the chance to join the team in the field and observe the process of developing a tourist village. I traveled with three experienced team members to North Misool District, where we worked across four villages: Atkari, Salafen, Waigama, and Aduwei. This was my first time taking part in this kind of field activity. It felt unfamiliar at first—something I had never imagined doing—but I felt lucky because I was accompanied by three mentors who were very experienced. To me, they were like guides in the field, people who already knew how to handle the complexities of local communities and community-based development. As a beginner, I learned so much just by watching how they spoke, listened, and interacted with people.

During this fieldwork, I discovered many new things that really opened my mind. I learned how to approach village communities wisely so that communication flows well and there’s mutual understanding. I also learned how to explain goals using simple language that’s easy for everyone to understand, because not everyone is familiar with technical terms. I practiced gathering information directly from the community to create data that’s more accurate and fits the real situation on the ground. I also got to help survey areas to assess whether they have the potential to become tourist attractions or not.

The most memorable part for me was meeting new people and learning how to connect with communities that have different cultures and languages. It wasn’t always easy, but it was such a valuable experience.

Initial Meeting

At the start of the activity, we visited the home of Mr. Dai, the traditional leader (ketua adat) in Salafen Village. We came to have a casual conversation, introduce ourselves, and explain the purpose and goals of this mentoring program. He welcomed us warmly and was very open in sharing information about the village’s condition. He talked about various issues in the area, the community’s interests, the readiness of the tourism group, and the villagers’ perspectives on tourism. From this discussion, we gained an initial overview that could serve as a reference for the next steps in the mentoring process.

We did the same in Waigama Village, but there we held discussions with the village head (kepala kampung), the traditional leader, and local government officials.

After receiving a warm welcome, the next step was to initiate meetings with the tourism awareness groups (Pokdarwis) in each village we were assisting. These meetings served as a space for casual yet focused discussions about the steps they wanted to take moving forward.

We listened to their hopes and plans, while together trying to develop strategies that fit the actual conditions in the field. In addition, we talked about important topics such as local regulations, organizational structure, and their potential in guiding tourists. The goal of these discussions was to help everyone involved gain a clearer understanding of their roles and contributions in developing the tourist villages.

In addition to meeting with the Pokdarwis, we also held a special meeting with a group of women in Waigama Village who have been producing various local food products, such as fish floss (abon ikan) and fish crackers (amplang ikan). The purpose was to explore ways to integrate tourism needs with local culinary potential, so that the benefits of tourism development could be shared more widely among the community.

The plan is for each tour package offered to include meals and snacks prepared by these women. This step is expected not only to increase their income but also to help minimize potential social jealousy, which, according to information from the village authorities, is quite a concern in Waigama. In this way, the mentoring process aims to be more inclusive and fair for everyone involved.

Attraction Survey & Simulation

After gathering information about the conditions on the ground, we began the next stage of the mentoring process with a tourism attraction survey. This survey covered various aspects, from local cultural heritage and unique landscapes to the flora and fauna that are part of the community’s daily life. During the survey, we were accompanied by local residents who have extensive knowledge about their area and its history. Their presence was incredibly helpful because each location we visited had its own stories and values, which they explained in detail—something we would not have discovered on our own.

Once the survey was completed, we continued with a group discussion. The goal was to provide a basic understanding of guiding techniques so that the participants could immediately try out a simulation. This allowed us to give direct feedback and suggestions. Although many of them were hesitant at first and lacked confidence in sharing information or guiding, they were willing to give it a try. This helped us identify those who showed potential to become tour guides.

The simulation also served as a way to help the group understand the flow of a tourist visit and what to expect when actual visitors arrive. It gave them a clearer picture of how to handle such situations and boosted their preparedness. Of course, this was not easy—especially for me. I wasn’t used to reading people’s character or recognizing individual potential. At first, trying to assess and understand others felt complicated, like guessing without knowing the right approach. But over time, I realized that observing how someone speaks—their tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language—can give clues about their personality, feelings, and even their hidden strengths.

Now, the challenge is figuring out how to nurture those strengths in a way that feels comfortable for them, without making anyone feel awkward or pressured. For me, this experience was truly eye-opening. It taught me to be more patient, to listen more, and to appreciate the different ways people express themselves and share their thoughts.

Interpretation Data Collection

In every activity during this mentoring process, there were always bits of information that came up unexpectedly—even from casual conversations. Because of this, I learned to make a habit of taking notes on any information shared by anyone, whether or not it would be useful later.

Beyond that, we also carried out specific activities to gather interpretation data. For example, we collected information about medicinal plants commonly used by the people of Waigama. We visited the home of the village healer (dukun kampung), a figure long trusted by the community to handle various health concerns. Despite the title “dukun,” she had nothing to do with mystical practices or black magic, as some might assume. Her role was more like that of a traditional healer—helping with childbirth, treating minor illnesses, and preparing herbal remedies from local plants.

In addition, we went into the forest with several local residents to document medicinal plants that we had already identified in previous data collection. We also searched for other plant species that might not have been recorded yet, so the information gathered could be more complete for interpretation purposes. Besides plants, we also tried to document and record some animal species that could potentially be spotted in the area.

This was one of the most interesting experiences for me. I was able to dig deeper into local knowledge while directly verifying the data in the field. I also learned how to communicate effectively with local people to gather information, while maintaining respect and appreciation for their knowledge and traditions.

Moments Outside the Activities

I’ve always believed that to truly understand a place, it’s not enough to just visit and observe. I also need to feel it. That’s what I tried to do during my free time in the village, outside of the official mentoring activities. Sometimes, I would intentionally spend time doing simple, heartwarming things to fill my days.

In the afternoons, I often walked around the village with energetic children, exploring small paths that led us to Wopon Beach. There, we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere while watching the kids aim their slingshots at birds or playing together in the village yard. The children here were incredibly friendly and full of enthusiasm. Moments like these made me feel closer to them and truly welcomed as part of the community.

I also tried a few new and unique experiences, like trying the “itchy leaf” (daun gatal). It gave a stinging sensation at first, but afterward my body felt lighter and refreshed. Another memorable moment was when I got my hair braided—a popular hairstyle in the village. Kak Nyong suggested that Delila braid my hair, as she often did Kak Nyong’s as well.

One day, Kak Nyong also invited me to go spear fishing along the shore. I was excited, but I only managed to catch a small octopus. At night, I joined a group heading into the forest to observe how local people hunt animals.

All of these experiences gave me a deeper understanding of their daily lives and opened my eyes to the richness of their culture and traditions.

The young people in the village also invited me to join them for a game of volleyball. We played on the only high school court in the village. Although the court was simple, their energy and enthusiasm were infectious. We passed the ball around, cheered each other on, and burst into laughter whenever someone made a bad pass or missed a shot completely. Playing volleyball with them felt so natural—it broke down any barriers and helped me build genuine connections. Out there, there were no lines between outsiders and locals—just friends sharing the joy of the game.

Another memorable moment was when I had the chance to see firsthand how sago is processed. From felling the sago palms, pounding the pith, and filtering the starch, to finally packing it using lontar leaves. Interestingly, instead of the traditional pounding process, they used a machine to speed things up. I learned that traditional pounding could take months—especially when large quantities of sago are being processed—so the machine is a practical solution for the community.

I didn’t do all these things just to fill my free time. I wanted to truly experience how the people there live their daily lives. I wanted to get closer to them, to understand more deeply, and to see them as individuals with rich stories—not just as data or beneficiaries of a program. Because in the end, mentoring isn’t just about collecting data or running work plans. It’s about becoming, even if only for a moment, part of their story.

Closing

The mentoring activities in North Misool District have been an incredibly valuable experience for me. Through this journey, I didn’t just learn about the concept of community-based tourism development, but I also witnessed firsthand how the process is carried out with an inclusive, communicative approach that respects local wisdom. I realized that mentoring is not merely about delivering materials or implementing work plans. It’s about building relationships, listening sincerely, and fostering mutual trust. From meetings with traditional leaders, village authorities, tourism awareness groups (Pokdarwis), to the women producing local culinary products—I learned how crucial it is to involve every element of the community so that tourism development can truly be beneficial and sustainable.

In closing, I feel deeply grateful to have been part of this program. My time in North Misool reminded me that learning in the field is far more complex and enriching than classroom theory. I hope this experience has prepared me to contribute meaningfully to sustainable, fair, and community-centered tourism development—wherever I may be in the future. Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Indecon for the opportunity. This experience has motivated me to keep learning and growing as I continue my journey in the world of tourism.