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Toraja View Academy

By Yogus Sandalapu, and Caroline Victorine Katemba

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Yogus Sandalapu began his teaching ministry at Toraja View Academy in 2013. He graduated from Universitas Klabat Airmadidi Manado in 2009 and obtained a master’s degree from Adventist University of the Philippines in 2019. At the time of writing of this entry, he was the principal of Toraja View Academy Junior High School. He is married to Herlina Bareallo and has two children.

Caroline Victorine Katemba, M.A. TESL, has served as an associate professor at Universitas Advent Indonesia in the Education department since 1991. She was the vice president for Academic Administrations from 2010-2014. She has served as director for the graduate school and chairperson for the English department. She is a Certified Indonesian National Research Reviewer, granted by the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Indonesia. Her husband is Dr. Joshua H.L. Tobing, and they have one son.

 

First Published: July 7, 2022

Toraja View Academy, also known as Sekolah Lanjutan Advent, is a co-educational boarding school for junior and senior high school levels operated by Luwu Tana Toraja Mission.1 It is located on an estate of about 38 acres (15 hectares), 228 miles (365 kilometers) north of Makassar (Ujung Pandang), in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, in a mountainous area at an elevation of 3,000 feet (910 meters). The school draws students mainly from South Celebes and Southeast Celebes. The majority of the students are Torajanese.2

The academy is one of the oldest in East Indonesia. It is known to be the only boarding school in the area which offers quality education. The academy has served as a training ground for most missionaries and theology graduates from the region.3

Tana Toraja is the only region of South Sulawesi which is predominantly Christian. The Advent came through this area around 1947 thanks to the literature evangelist Frans Mandolang.4 However, though there were some Adventist believers, it was very difficult to expand because the church’s teaching is quite contrary to the traditions of the Torajanese.

Founding of the School

The Adventist church in the region continued growing slowly but surely. Eventually, when the South Sulawesi region was led by Pastor A. Pasuhuk, he surveyed the need to open a school in Tana Toraja.5 In 1950, the junior high school was initially opened as a church school6 in the city of Rantepao, using the house of Tappy M. Balla.7

The school formally opened in 19588 as a junior academy, with Chris Dompas9 as principal and an enrollment of 18 students. It was located in Rantepao, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of the present location. Classes were held at the church at Rantepao.10

From 1959 to 1961, Hendrik Rumambi11 led the school after Chris Dompas moved to SLA Doyobaru-Papua. Among the pioneering teachers were Hendrik Wekanto, Johana Tappi, and Lukas Patully.12

Hendrik Rumambi was assigned to return to Makassar to close the junior academy in Rantepao. Upon the arrival of Mr. J.A. Kountur13 in 1961, when the plan was to close the school, he took steps to attract students. One step was to offer free English language courses and martial exercises called ALCO (All combine). Self-defense training attracted young people, and many of them transferred to the school. The number of students increased, so the school hired two teachers Mr. J. Pulun Tappi14 and Martha Ba'ka Tappi. Students came from various parts of Tana Toraja and Tilanga, and Tilanga Church was established.

Kountur left in 1967, and Tananbua Katemba from North Celebes Academy15 replaced him as principal.16 With him was Junius Tirok, who served as the treasurer. Initially, Katemba was told that he was going to the “worst school in the world,”17 but he trusted God to provide and guide him.

In 1968 the church decided to upgrade the mission school to a boarding academy, and approximately 1.2 to 2 acres around the Tilanga Church were purchased. A temporary bamboo school building was raised. The construction was a joint effort of Adventist Church members throughout Tana Toraja, while waiting for the materials prepared for the envisioned permanent building. In late 1968 Far Eastern Division Education Secretary B.E. Olson18 surveyed the school and declared that the land area for the boarding school did not meet the requirements. The land was not wide enough for buildings such as the dormitories and teachers’ residences, as well as sports venues to facilitate students’ learning activities. The evaluation encouraged leaders to increase the present area of the northern part of the region, but leaders of other local churches convinced their members not to sell any piece of land to the Adventist church. This situation seemed to make the school's progress bleak.19

Adventist church members prayed and claimed God’s promises in Matthew 7:7-8. Katemba met with the chief of Mengkendek, Mr. Sattu Karoma, to discuss plans for the Adventist school in Tana Toraja. Together with elders of the church and district Pastor Z. Palangan, Katemba surveyed a location of approximately 40 hectares, donated by the chief.20 The only stipulation was that the rice fields should be paid for and villagers’ houses moved from the land. The rest was given freely. Pasuhuk and Junius Tirok negotiated with the representative of the district chief, paying for the rice fields and moving the villagers’ houses from the compound, and the rest of the land was given free.21

In 1969 the school moved to its present location in Mebali, Toraja. Temporary bamboo buildings were constructed with thatched roofs. The dormitories, desks, beds, and benches were likewise made of bamboo. “The name of the school was changed to Toraja View Academy in 1969 by Mr. T. Katemba when it moved to Mebali to show its new identity.”22

The fast-approaching school year 1969-1970 created camaraderie and mutual aid to facilitate the school building and dormitories construction. This was led by the district head and Mr. Ruttu, the village head (whose son Benjamin Gina would serve as faculty). In the academy’s first academic year, new admissions for senior high school (Grade 10) were added along with the junior high school (Grades 7, 8, & 9) courses. The senior high school of Toraja View Academy was the first in the sub-district of Mengkendek.23

The school needed funds for operations and to build permanent classrooms. No money was available, and the East Indonesia Union Mission voted to close the school. Katemba and his staff kept the school open despite no funding and no salaries for approximately five months. They fasted and continued praying, for they believed that the spread of the gospel could be done only through the school, because the community would not accept it through evangelistic meetings. They started to build the permanent building by having all the students and staff work together. The teachers and staff went to the forest in Sangala and carried the woods to the school vicinity. They also carried sands from the mountains in Mebali. To sustain their needs for food, they planted rice fields and vegetable gardens.24

Mrs. Katemba’s brother, Karangan, passed away due to overwork and malnutrition. A student, Jappa, worked so hard in carrying the woods from the forest that he became sick and died. Similarly, Mrs. Christine Katemba became sick and lost consciousness. Teachers and students fervently prayed for her healing, and after six hours, she regained consciousness. Her daughter Caroline Katemba recalled that “One night, Mom said to Dad that they have no more food for the family and the students for the next day. Dad prayed and asked God to feed all the students and his family. At midnight, a jeep full of food and groceries dropped by the house and said that Mrs. Lily Mandalas sent them because she was so worried about remembering the family. God answered my parents’ prayers.”25

When mission president Ph. Legoh26 learned that the school was still operating, he visited the school with Ms. Merle Bennett. They left $100 to continue the construction of the permanent building, while Mrs. Lily Mandalas provided the cement and other construction materials. Katemba taught the students and teachers how to make bricks. With materials gathered by hand, the teachers, students, staff, and villagers worked together and constructed the school building.27

Legoh told the mission to retrieve back their minutes on closing the academy. He assured the mission that despite having no budget, Katemba would find funds by himself as he claimed God’s promises.

In 1970 Yan Manawan28 and John Kohdong came from Manado to replace Bible teacher Zet Palangan, who was transferred to Palopo, and mathematics teacher J.G. Padaunan, who became a civil servant in the office of Public Works in Makale. The school faced a financial crisis. Teachers who made it despite having no salaries were Mr. and Mrs. Katemba, J.P. Tappi, Yan Manawan, and J.D. Simon.29

In 1971, the school was visited by Dennise Shelton, a missionary who moved the mountain inside the campus. He operated the bulldozer himself, working day and night for about four months, much to the amazement of the locals, who had not before witnessed such technology. Katemba requested eight student missionaries from Jakarta English Language School to help construct a permanent administration building.30

Despite growth in membership, the church lacked tithe income since members were jobless. Katemba approached the relative of Mr. Tjang Ong Gie, a church member from Rantepao, to help the church members. During market days, he allowed the church members to sell his things from his shop. When the goods were sold out, the church members were paid. Katemba also taught members about gardening. At first they resisted because they believed that if they planted in the Mebali area, the land would sink. After seeing teachers and students plant vegetables such as cabbage, the people started planting vegetables and sold them during market days, and gave tithes and offerings to the church. Mrs. Katemba taught the mothers in Mebali, Rantepao, and Makale to make bread, tempe, tofu, and soy milk to sell in the market. Tithes and offerings increased as well as church membership.31 In 1971 the mission office in Makassar ordained Mr. T. Katemba as a pastor.32

Though church leaders from other Christian denominations gave negative feedback to their churches about the academy’s influence, locals kept sending their children to school. Noted graduates have included John Kamarlos, who became a member of the central parliament; Pangala Karoma, who became a staff member at the central education department; Enos Karoma, who led the district of Rantepao and Mengkendek; and J.S. Batara, who became a sub-district chief of Mengkendek and Sangalla.33

In 1973 Pastor Katemba was called to serve as union education director.34 He was replaced by Pastor F.E. Kairupan, a former education director, who served as principal from 1973-1974.35 When Kairupan was assigned to serve at Irian Jaya Academy, A.J. Kountur served as Toraja View Academy principal36 alongside M.W. Langi as treasurer.37 Benjamin Gina was also called to serve as faculty.38 As the years advanced, the academy hired several Klabat College graduates, such as Mr. Jance Mamarimbing and Martha Lurekke to serve as teachers.

In 1977 Agus Wahongan was called to serve as the principal of TVA. When Wahongan was sent to Philippine Union College, Jan Engka was called to serve as principal.39 More teachers were added, including Rolly Engka, Kern Manembu, Y. Karoma, B. Ganna, Mrs. Havelaar, and Mrs. Toisuta from Ambon.

Wahongan returned to Toraja Valley Academy in June 1985, serving as the principal40 while Yosen Danun served as treasurer. In 1986 Fends Newson Manoppo was called to serve as the principal, and Freddy Tomarere as the school treasurer.41 F. Tomarere was then transferred to Sanger Talaud as a treasurer and Jusuf Tappy replaced him in the treasury.42 The academy also welcomed Pastor M.L. Saluy as the Bible teacher. After a few years, Pastor Saluy was called to South Minahasa Mission of Bolaang, Mongondow, and Gorontalo, and Pastor H. Sibilang replaced him.

The 2000s marked several developments at TVA. In 2005 the Mebali English and Computer courses building was constructed in cooperation with the government and Mr. Suddin from Makassar. In 2006 the campus’ front fence was built from Tana Toraja local government funding. A dorm with eight rooms was constructed and two units of teachers’ houses renovated, thanks to donations by Pastor Emerson and his team. Emerson’s philanthropic activities continued with the construction of the girls’ dormitory in 2007 and the laying of the foundation for the vocational school building in 2008. A male buffalo was purchased by Pastor Emerson and his team, and alumni also donated two females and one male buffalo.43

In 2009 the science laboratory was built from the central government block grant fund at Posi and two unit houses nearby the science lab were started. In the same year, the administration building renovation took place with the help of several donors, such as Harry Legoh from Jakarta, Ellen Katemba from the U.S., and support from the alumni.

In 2011, TVA’s vocational high school building was completed and inaugurated with the help of the management of LUTAT District Mission. The following year, the girls’ dormitory hall was finished. In 2013 the two houses for teachers were completed with the aid of Pastor Emerson and alumni homecoming gift. In 2015 a tractor was donated by the Southern-Asia Pacific Division (SSD) for the school's agriculture. Added to this, a mineral water depot was donated by the senior batch 44 for the school's industry.44

In 2016 the Murakami Chapel room was renovated with the donation of the Tobing-Katembas, and the new junior high school building was constructed with government aid. The dean's quarter for the girls’ dormitory and the guest house were renovated from Pastor Emerson's funding. In 2017 the youth department of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division granted aid for the school campus beautification by building the platform and landmark of the school. After a year, the platform was finished with the assistance of the “Adventist Youth Mission Adventure 2” team and was officially inaugurated by Division youth department director Jobbie Yabut.45 Moreover, an additional room for the science lab for senior high school was built from the alumni program and was inaugurated in 2019 during the alumni homecoming.46 The development of the vocational school was halted, however.

In 2020 the school cafeteria kitchen was renovated with the support of the alumni, coordinated by Mrs. Orma Silamba. In addition, the East Indonesia Union Conference donated a representative comfort room at the school chapel. Also, a hand tractor for the rice field and a rice dropper machine were donated by the Moskalets and the Collins from the United States. The fulfillment of the dreams of previsions administrators, these significant developments happened during the leadership of Tommy Langi,47 Alexander, and Ferry N. Lasut.48

Toraja View Academy aims to support the church in training the youth for service in the church and global community by molding their character and nurturing their growing faith, helping them to be responsible global citizens.

Principals

Chris Dompas (1958-1959); H. Rumambi (1959-1961); A.J. Kountur (1961-1967); T. Katemba, (1967-1973); F. Kairupan (1973-1974); A.J. Kountur (1975-1976); A. Wahongan (1977-1980); J. Engka (1981-1984); A. Wahongan (1985-1987); F.N. Manoppo (1988-1990); W. Rhebok (1991-1992); W. Liogu (1993-1996); J.P. Tappy (1997-2003); H. Sibilang (2003-2005); S.T. J. Langi (2006-2016); Alexander (January-June 2016); F.N. Lasut (2017-Present).

Sources

“General Conference: SSD Mission Adventures, 2 Happens in Indonesia.” Accessed, June 16, 2022. https://adventist.news/news/ssd-mission-adventures-2-happens-in-indonesia?searchsite=adventist.news&ref=on-site-search&searchterm=toraja%20view%20academy.

“Indonesian Island Hosts Adventist Youth Mission Adventures 2.” Adventist World, December 6, 2018. Accessed, June 15, 2022, https://www.adventistworld.org/indonesian-island-hosts-adventist-youth-mission-adventures-2/.

Lisupadang, I. “Luwu Tana Toraja Mission.” Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Accessed June 16, 2022. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=BAQM&highlight=Luwu|Tana|Toraja|Mission.

Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia. Second revised edition. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1996. S.v. “Toraja View Academy.”

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, various years. https://www.adventistyearbook.org/.

Sorensen, C.P. “Impressions from Indonesia.” Far Eastern Division Outlook, August 1959.

Notes

  1. Imanuel Lisupadang, “Luwu Tana Toraja Mission,” Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists, accessed June 16, 2022, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=BAQM.

  2. Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia (1996), s.v. “Toraja View Academy.”

  3. “General Conference: SSD Mission Adventures, 2 Happens in Indonesia.” Accessed, June 16, 2022, https://adventist.news/news/ssd-mission-adventures-2-happens-in-indonesia?searchsite=adventist.news&ref=on-site-search&searchterm=toraja%20view%20academy.

  4. C.P. Sorensen, “Impressions from Indonesia,” Far Eastern Division Outlook, August 1959, 1-5.

  5. Etha Balla Tappy, retired teacher of Toraja View Academy, interviewed by Yogus Sandalapu, Mebali, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, October 15, 2019.

  6. Imanuel Lisupadang, “Luwu Tana Toraja Mission.”

  7. Etha Balla Tappy, retired teacher of Toraja View Academy, interviewed by Yogus Sandalapu, Mebali, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, October 15, 2019.

  8. “Toraja View Academy,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, accessed, June 16, 2022, https://www.adventistyearbook.org/entity?EntityID=13402.

  9. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1960), 99.

  10. Etha Balla Tappy, retired teacher of Toraja View Academy, interviewed by Yogus Sandalapu, Mebali, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, October 15, 2019.

  11. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1962), 102.

  12. Etha Balla Tappy, retired teacher of Toraja View Academy, interviewed by Yogus Sandalapu, Mebali, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, October 15, 2019.

  13. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1967), 121.

  14. Ibid.

  15. Christine Katemba- Rombe, interviewed by the author, Bandung, October 24, 2019.

  16. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1969), 361.

  17. Christine Katemba- Rombe, interviewed by the author, Bandung, October 24, 2019.

  18. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1969), 125.

  19. Christine Katemba- Rombe, interviewed by the author, Bandung, October 24, 2019.

  20. Ibid.

  21. Ibid.

  22. Ibid.

  23. Christine Katemba- Rombe, interviewed by the author, Bandung, October 24, 2019.

  24. Ibid.

  25. Dr. Caroline V. Katemba-Tobing, interviewed by the author, Bandung, October 25, 2019.

  26. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1970), 132.

  27. Dr. Caroline V. Katemba-Tobing, interviewed by the author, Bandung, October 25, 2019.

  28. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1973-1974), 355.

  29. Z. Palangan, retired mission worker, interviewed by Etha Balla Tappi, Mebali, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, October 15, 2019.

  30. Dr. Caroline V. Katemba-Tobing, interviewed by the author, Bandung, October 25, 2019.

  31. Ibid.

  32. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1973-1974), 158.

  33. Dr. Caroline V. Katemba-Tobing, interviewed by the author, Bandung, October 25, 2019.

  34. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1975), 158.

  35. Ibid, 359.

  36. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1977), 397.

  37. Dr. Ronny Kountur, interviewed by author, Jakarta October 25, 2019.

  38. Benyamin Gina, retired teacher of Toraja View Academy, interviewed by Yogus Sandalapu, Mebali, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, October 15, 2019.

  39. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1982), 437.

  40. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1985), 470.

  41. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1988), 473.

  42. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1990), 451.

  43. Benyamin Gina, retired teacher of Toraja View Academy, interviewed by Yogus Sandalapu, Mebali, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, October 15, 2019.

  44. Ibid.

  45. "Indonesian Island Hosts Adventist Youth Mission Adventures 2,” Adventist World, December 6, 2018. Accessed, June 15, 2022, https://www.adventistworld.org/indonesian-island-hosts-adventist-youth-mission-adventures-2/.

  46. Benyamin Gina, retired teacher of Toraja View Academy, interviewed by Yogus Sandalapu, Mebali, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, October 15, 2019.

  47. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (2010), 609.

  48. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (2019), 584.

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Sandalapu, Yogus, Caroline Victorine Katemba. "Toraja View Academy." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. July 07, 2022. Accessed November 05, 2024. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=DG5O.

Sandalapu, Yogus, Caroline Victorine Katemba. "Toraja View Academy." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. July 07, 2022. Date of access November 05, 2024, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=DG5O.

Sandalapu, Yogus, Caroline Victorine Katemba (2022, July 07). Toraja View Academy. Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved November 05, 2024, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=DG5O.