A School. A Foundation. A Hotel.
When Inge De Lathauwer first set foot on Sumba in 2013, she was overwhelmed by the natural beauty and authenticity of the island, yet deeply affected by bearing witness to the poor living conditions of the local people. Due to its pristine beaches and vibrant culture, Sumba was poised for a surge in tourism development, with the potential to create an influx of indispensable job opportunities. While an exciting prospect, many Sumbanese youth did not have access to the relevant education and training required to occupy such positions. Thus, the initial seed was planted for Inge’s hospitality school and foundation, which has since flourished into a beautiful reality.
The Sumba Hotel School opened on July 1st, 2016 and, in the years following, has experienced extraordinary growth and transformation. What once was an arid landscape is now abundant with life; the farm and gardens are blossoming with fruit, vegetables, and medicinal herbs, making delicious ingredients for the meals served within the bar and restaurant. Additionally, the implementation of a solar panel farm and water treatment system allows the school to be self-sufficient. Thus, presenting the campus as a model of conservation and green energy throughout the island.
7+
YEARS OF EXISTENCE
410+
SCHOOL ALUMNI
50+
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
72
STUDENTS SELECTED YEARLY
10,200+
HOURS OF TEACHER FACILITATED TRAINING
95%
POS-GRADUATION EMPLOYMENT RATE
Overview
Since its opening in 2016, the Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF) has yearly offered 72 Sumbanese youth from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds vocational hospitality training.
The program includes full-board accommodation, medical care, 2-week cross-training at NIHI Sumba, internships and all associated transportation and living costs.
In addition to high-quality hospitality and English classes from industry experts, students receive practical training in one of the Foundation’s social projects: Maringi, a small resort with 5-star service, and Makan Dulu, a unique restaurant specializing in Indonesian cuisine.
With NIHI
We are delighted that NIHI Sumba has welcomed our students as employees from the very beginning and you well surely encounter many alumni during your stay here.
Responsible tourism has been at the heart of the Foundation from the very beginning.
Our buildings were designed with sustainability in mind, constructed mainly from bamboo, powered by our 288 solar panels and 80% of our waste water reused for irrigation purposes. What was once a dry landscape with only one tree is now rich with life.
The 3-hectare permaculture garden thrives with fruit, vegetables and medicinal herbs, which the students turn into delicious meals served in the bar and restaurant.
Sustainability is also at the heart of our vocational training program, which trains the next generation to become responsible representatives of tourism.
We are more than happy to show you around. Located just 20 minutes from Tambolaka Airport, the Foundation is the perfect place to end your visit to Sumba in a meaningful way.
Our students will give you an interactive tour of the campus, after which you can enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by them at Maringi restaurant.
Cutting it short with time? Try Indonesian food with a Sumbanese twist at our training restaurant Makan Dulu, just a 5-minute drive from the airport.
We are sure that their heart-warming welcome will make a lasting impact on you.
At SHF, dreams come true and your donations make that possible.
You can sponsor a student throughout their life- changing journey by donating $5000. This covers all the expenses for school supplies, medical care, full-board accommodation and a 6-month internship.
The impact of a single donation lasts a lifetime.
Want to be part of our students’ journey?
Your contribution matters
Nihigram
Raja Mandaka, the crown jewel of NIHI Sumba.
Perched above the Indian Ocean, with uninterrupted views stretching along the Sumbanese coastline, it feels like a world of its own. Mornings unfold slowly, golden light spills across the horizon, and the sound of the ocean follows you from sunrise to sunset.
Welcome to NIHI Sumba.
There’s nowhere quite like it. Sitting on the Edge of Wildness on the remote island of Sumba, just an hour from Bali, it’s a place where wild beauty, adventure and a little bit of magic come together.
#NIHIGram by @teoguarini @yunfancyf
Merdeka! 🇮🇩
Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
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#nihigram by @childsphotos
Merdeka! 🇮🇩
@nihi bangga menyebut Indonesia sebagai rumah kami. Dari Sumba, kami berdiri bersama untuk merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia yang ke-81.
Mari kibarkan Sang Merah Putih dengan bangga dan rayakan semangat, kehangatan, serta kebersamaan yang menjadikan Indonesia begitu istimewa. Rakyat Indonesia memiliki hati yang besar dan semangat yang tak tergoyahkan.
Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
Merdeka! @nihi are proud to call Indonesia home. From Sumba, we stand together to celebrate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.
Today, we fly the red and white flag high and celebrate the warmth, spirit and togetherness that make this country so extraordinary. The people of Indonesia have huge hearts and an unbreakable spirit.
Happy Independence Day, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
#HariMerdeka #Indonesia #NIHISumba
Some places live up to the dream. NIHI Sumba is the kind of dream you don’t want to wake up from.
Come and see what everyone’s dreaming about.
No trending audio. No soundtrack needed.
Just the rhythm of Sumba. The ocean, the horses, the wind through the palms and the sounds that make this place feel like nowhere else.
After an unforgettable first Healing with Horses retreat on the Edge of Wildness, we’re delighted to announce that Candice Webster will return to NIHI Sumba in 2027.
Our inaugural retreat brought together the extraordinary energy of Sumba, our Sandalwood horses and Candice’s intuitive approach to equine healing for five deeply transformative days of connection, renewal and discovery.
In 2027, we return to the herd for two intimate retreats:
1–6 June 2027
8–13 June 2027
Spaces are limited. Each retreat offers the opportunity to slow down, reconnect and experience the profound relationship between horses, nature and self.
Full details and enquires are available via the retreat page, linked in our bio.
A true @nihi journey that has only just begun.
Cherish is a graduate from the Rote Hospitality Academy. Today, he is proudly part of the team at @nihirote, welcoming guests from around the world and sharing the beauty, culture and stories of the island he calls home.
@rote_hospitality_academy is proud to help create opportunities for Rote’s next generation, providing the skills and pathways to build their futures on the island.
Where culture runs deep and nature remains wild.
From ancient traditions and the enduring bond between the Sumbanese people and their horses, to untouched coastlines, rolling hills and endless horizons, Sumba is a place shaped by both its people and the land they call home.
At NIHI, every journey is a chance to experience the island as it has been for generations: raw, beautiful and deeply connected to its roots.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Mornings to dream about.
Wake to the sound of rolling waves, swaying palms, and birdsong as the island slowly comes to life. Here, peace isn’t something you have to search for, it’s all around you. In the quiet, away from the everyday, you’ll find space to reconnect with nature, with the moment, and with yourself.
The simplest mornings often leave the greatest impression.
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