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
The first light spills across the ocean, the mist slowly lifts, horses wander freely along the shoreline, and the world seems to move a little slower.
This is the magic of mornings at NIHI, quiet, wild, and beautifully untouched.
Where wild horses roam the shoreline, endless palms sway in the ocean breeze, world-class waves roll onto untouched white sand, and every sunset feels like nature’s grand finale.
This is Nihi, a place where time slows, the horizon stretches forever, and every moment reminds you just how beautiful the world can be.
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#nihigram by @scottybauer_
No notifications. No playlists. No endless scrolling.
Just birds singing, waves rolling onto the shore, and the kind of silence that reminds you what peace actually sounds like.
As the sky melts into brilliant shades of gold, amber, and fire, there’s no better place to be than on horseback along the shores of Nihiwatu Beach as the sun slips below the horizon. This is NIHI Sumba.
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#nihigram by @lucaspinhel
Venture beyond @nihi to one of Sumba’s most beautiful coastlines.
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Head out onto the open water to the best fishing spots and cast your line before continuing onwards to Konda where you’ll be welcomed by @kondamaloba.
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Unwind between an oceanfront pool and Sumba’s turquoise waters while your freshly caught fish is prepared over an open fire before being served for lunch.
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If you’re feeling like you need some more adventure, take to the water on jet ski and feel the wind in your hair as you explore the natural beauty of the bay.
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This is an experience shaped and refined by the wild beauty of Sumba.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
No trending music. This is what magic really sounds like: waves rolling onto the shores of Nihiwatu Beach, horses cooling off in the salty waters, and the wild spirit of NIHI Sumba.
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#nihigram by @evelien_louise
Front-row seats to one of NIHI’s most iconic morning rituals.
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Grab breakfast with a friend as horses wander freely along the shoreline, with the Indian Ocean stretching beyond. 🤍
Hidden within the raw terrain of the island are little known gems waiting to be discovered. Embark on an adventure with @nihi by exploring the natural environment of Sumba. You’ll set off in an open aired vehicle and drive through the landscapes with a sense of excitement at what you may encounter. A trek to the Blue Waterfall is one such adventure that you’ll long remember for years to come and live with the memory of being left in awe at the wonder of nature.
No trending audio. Just NIHI, exactly as it sounds.
Some places don’t need a soundtrack to be unforgettable. Here, it’s the waves, the horses running along the beach, and the quiet moments in between that tell the story. 🤍
As the sun slips below the horizon, summer nights at NIHI take on a magic of their own. Romance in the air, stars overhead, and the feeling of being forever wild.
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#nihigram by @lucaspinhel @laylafoz
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