Meet Damayanti Sinaga: A Passionate Guide Promoting Lake Toba

 Hello, my name is Damayanti Sinaga, but you can call me Butet. In Batak culture, “Butet” is a name often given to female babies, but as I’ve grown, it’s become a part of my identity. Though I’m no longer a baby, the name stuck, especially as many people outside the Batakcommunity call me Butet. Over time, I’ve come to embrace it.

I live in Kampung Ulos Hutaraja Pardamean, a charming village located on the beautiful Samosir Island, which is nestled next to the majestic Lake Toba in the highlands of North Sumatra. Living here, surrounded by natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, fills me with pride. It’s no wonder I’ve become passionate about sharing my home with others.

A Passion for Guiding and Promoting Lake Toba

One of the main reasons I became a tour guide is my deep desire to meet and connect with people from all over the world. Through guiding, I can introduce visitors to the wonders of Lake Toba, which holds a special place in my heart. This volcanic lake is not just a natural wonder; it’s a symbol of my heritage, and I want the world to see its beauty too.

By working as a guide, I can contribute to sustainable tourism, helping to preserve the region’s natural and cultural treasures while supporting the local community. I firmly believe that tourism can be a powerful force for good, and my role as a guide allows me to play an active part in making Lake Toba a top destination for travelers while ensuring it remains vibrant and thriving for generations to come.

A Lifelong Love for Learning and Sharing Knowledge

Aside from guiding, I have a love for reading, research, and continuous learning. I enjoy teaching and often spend my free time sharing knowledge with children in my community. It’s a hobby that brings me immense joy. I believe that learning is a lifelong journey, and I take every opportunity to expand my horizons by learning new languages and making friends from different parts of the world.

My previous experience as an editor at Analisa Newspaper, one of the largest newspapers in North Sumatra, has shaped my communication skills and deepened my understanding of the media and tourism industries. This experience, coupled with my love for storytelling and sharing local culture, has given me the confidence to guide visitors in a way that is both informative and welcoming.

Promoting Sustainable Tourism

As a local, I understand the importance of sustainable tourism and the impact it has on the environment, economy, and society. I want to show tourists the authentic beauty of Lake Toba while ensuring that tourism benefits the local community. Sustainable practices are at the heart of my tours, whether it’s encouraging responsible travel behaviors or supporting local businesses.

Every tour I lead is an opportunity to share the beauty of the land, the history of the Batak people, and the importance of preserving this unique destination. Lake Toba is more than just a place; it’s a story waiting to be told. Through my tours, I hope to help visitors connect with this place in meaningful and lasting ways.

Conclusion: Welcoming the World to Lake Toba

Through my work, I aim to make Lake Toba not just a destination, but an experience that visitors will cherish forever. Whether it’s through a scenic tour of the lake or a cultural walk through my village, I want each traveler to leave with a deeper appreciation of the beauty and culture of North Sumatra.

As I continue to learn, grow, and connect with people from all corners of the globe, I invite you to visit Lake Toba and experience it through my eyes. Let’s create lasting memories together and help make sustainable tourism a priority for everyone.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I look forward to sharing the wonders of Lake Toba with you.

Hutaraja Learning House: Hobby, Passion, and Care for Lake Toba

  

Hutaraja Learning House is a learning center located in Ulos Hutaraja Village. It was founded by Damayanti Sinaga as a medium to channel her hobby and passion for teaching English to children.

Besides her hobby and passion, Damayanti aims to help accelerate the development of local human resources in Lake Toba, especially in Samosir. She hopes the community can converse with tourists, particularly as Samosir, especially Ulos Village, is a popular tourist destination often visited by international travelers. Therefore, residents need to speak English to serve foreign guests well.

Students The majority of students at Hutaraja Learning House are elementary school children from Ulos Hutaraja Village. Some also come from outside the village, such as SDN 10 Lumban Suhi-Suhi and SD 22 Lumban Suhi-Suhi. For more than six months, children have been learning English for free, from August 2023 to January 2024. Starting in February 2024, a tuition fee of IDR 50,000 per child per month has been introduced. Currently, around 30 children actively study English, including over 20 elementary school students and five junior high school students.

Classes are held every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM WIB, with elementary students attending from 3:00 to 4:25 PM and junior high students from 4:30 to 6:00 PM.

Lesson Materials The lesson materials are tailored to daily conversational needs, topic by topic. For example, when discussing the home, all household items are listed in English, and students must memorize the vocabulary. They are also required to construct sentences and read them aloud to improve their pronunciation.

This program helps prepare the younger generation to become guides capable of assisting foreign tourists.

Ulos Hutaraja Village, located within the Toba Caldera Geopark, has been designated a global tourist destination. President Jokowi has even designated Lake Toba as a Super Priority Destination. Therefore, improving local skills, especially English proficiency, is crucial.

The motivation to learn English must be boosted as the world becomes increasingly interconnected. Without proper education, children risk falling behind in terms of communication and access to information, which could lead to a lack of confidence.

Teaching English to children here is a strategic move to enhance critical thinking, competitiveness, and creativity. These skills are essential for handling the demands of a globalized world, especially in a tourism-focused area.

Challenges The main challenges faced include a lack of respect for time and lessons among the children. Despite the free initial classes, many parents were not supportive of their children's learning.

Nevertheless, Damayanti remains committed to maintaining the schedule and continues to engage with parents about the benefits the children have experienced and how the skills can be useful in life.

Limited resources such as books and teaching aids also impact the learning process. However, the core challenge remains the lack of appreciation for education.

Damayanti believes that if children have access to quality education, particularly English skills, they will be able to promote their local tourism industry and even pursue better job opportunities abroad.

This program aligns with the SDGs Goal 4: Quality Education, and Damayanti is committed to continuing it. She aspires to have a dedicated building for teaching children, as the current space belongs to a relative. Additionally, she hopes to establish a learning center in Girsang 1, where she first began teaching English to children.