The World Congress is now in its second day at Rungan Sari. Yesterday, as the bus-loads of members arrived from the different hotels, they were greeted by a Dayak welcoming ceremony with traditional dance and music. The visitors then split up to wander in different directions according to the meetings and workshops they had to attend. As you can see from the full programme I published on July 20, it is very full and diverse, as this is where the Wings have set up and organised all their activities, while the delegates meet in the Rungan Sari Resort’s new Lusitano Hall.
As outgoing Zone 4 Representative Salama Gielge wrote to the countries of her zone: “The compound is well prepared, with enough infrastructure : a big tent for meals and latihans, a bazaar with food and local products; and the Rungan Sari Resort Hotel (run by Hamid da Silva) has a brand new, large meeting room in the inner courtyard. It is not as big as the conference room planned some years ago, but sufficient for delegate meetings with observers, concerts, etc. The meals provided are sufficient and well organised. Some renovation work was done in the compound, walkways are newly paved, the Cita Bina Utama School building renovated, etc. Congratulations to the WCOT team and Rungan Sari community. At the same time it feels right that the number of days here is limited. The heat and walking distances are tiring, the bus ride long. It would be very strenuous to spend the whole congress in this way. But it feels wonderful to be in this special place.”
On the first afternoon here there was a full programme dedicated to The Kalimantan Story. Ibu Yati, Ibu Ismanah, Sharif and Tuti remembered the early days when Bapak started talking about Kalimantan, and about the first visits to the island. This was followed later by a panel consisting of eleven of the many members involved in projects here, who shared a few of their insights and experiences that stood out for them. Mahrus Vogel shared a poem in the Dayak language that had already been quoted at the opening ceremony and on other occasions:
SALAMAT LUNGU NALATAI – SALAM UJUD KARENDEM MALEMPANG – ADIL KA’TALINO – BACURAMIN KA’ SARUGA – BASENGAT KA’ JUBATA – ARUS, ARUS, ARUS.
The final three ARUS are spoken loudly with a sort of strong arm gesture.
The translation proved to be rather beautiful: May you always be safe under God’s protection – Be fair to your fellow human beings – Reflect on the path of Truth – Obey God Almighty – Continue to flow like water – Amen.
The various cafes that have popped up around the compound are humming with patrons… the words “excellent coffee” are heard frequently. In addition to larger projects presentations (such as Sanctuaries for Humanity, Venture 
Capital Partners, Enterprise Open Mic sessions and such), offered by the various wings, there are also small 
discussion tables, where a variety of subjects are dealt with – everything from photography and graphic design, being a digital nomad, architecture and women’s refuges…
This evening there will be latihan in the large, air-conditioned pavilion, which will probably be heard well beyond the confines of the compound!