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
Your day at NIHI begins with a little bit of magic. A refreshing morning swim, the sound of waves rolling in, and the sight of NIHI’s herd galloping freely along the shoreline below. Moments like these are part of daily life on the Edge of Wildness, where nature quietly sets the rhythm of the day.
A short excursion from NIHI Sumba leads you to Coconut Cove, a quiet stretch of palm trees overlooking calm turquoise waters. The perfect setting for a gentle introduction to surfing, followed by slow moments by the sea and pizza fresh from the stone oven.
The perfect spot to watch a sunset you’ll never forget, where the evenings feel a little wilder.
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#nihigram by @lin_suree
Venture along 2.5km of white sand on a morning beach ride, where the day begins with horses, ocean air, and an endless stretch of shoreline. With the sound of hooves meeting the rhythm of the waves, the ride follows the coast as the morning light rises over the palms.
Because dreams were never meant to live on paper.
They were meant to be lived.
Wake up to horses grazing, rolling green hills, and endless views of the Indian Ocean.
This is NIHI. Life on the Edge of Wildness.
Start your morning with a game of padel in paradise, where the ocean breeze lifts your spirit and the sound of waves sets the rhythm. At @nihi, play becomes poetry, moments of laughter, movement, and connection woven together on the Edge of Wildness. Here, padel is not just a game, but a love story shared with nature, family, and friends.
Under the New Moon at @nihi, we gather in a calm, sacred setting where the mind softens and the body unwinds. Listen to the gentle rhythm of waves rolling onto Nihiwatu Beach, while our horses wander quietly along the shoreline. Take a moment to set intentions for the cycle ahead, and create space for what’s ready to come.
Raw beauty, untamed adventure, and moments that stay with you forever. Welcome to @nihi. A place that stays with you long after you’ve left. Experience the magic in the spaces between nature and luxury. A retreat from the modern world out on the Edge of Wildness.
There’s a magic that lives on the edge of the wildness. At @nihi, it’s in the sea breeze on your skin, the endless pull of the horizon, and the thunder of horses running free along the shore. NIHI Sumba isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling of deep calm, connection, and escape.
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#nihigram by @tomkellyslack
Today was Pasola Gaura in Sumba. Once a year, the island’s ancient traditions come vividly to life as villages gather for Pasola, one of Sumba’s most powerful and sacred rituals. From @nihi, guests have the rare opportunity to witness this extraordinary cultural event.
Riders charge across the field on horseback, hurling wooden spears in a dramatic contest between rival villages. The spectacle is intense, fast paced, and deeply symbolic.
For the Sumbanese, Pasola is far more than competition. It is believed that when blood touches the earth during the battle, it blesses the land and ensures a prosperous rice harvest for the season ahead.
A tradition centuries old, Pasola remains one of the most extraordinary cultural experiences in Indonesia.
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