Sanggar Budaya Nusantara

I was born in the island of Java. As a native born of Indonesia, I am proud of my heritage. I want to share this unique one-of-a-kind nation with my fellow American. After my retirement from the US Army six years ago, I decided to establish a travel hosting company's specifically to take Americans to Indonesia (V2P)

I have lived over 45 years in the USA and has served Uncle Sam for over three decades, now I feel that I owe it to the land of my birth to tell her story.

MY REASON

American tourists to Indonesia are the smallest compared to other countries such as China, Malaysia, Australia, and Europe. Because most Americans don't know of Indonesia and those who know, feel that the country is too far to visit. With the discovery of social medias there are more and more American heard of Indonesia, but still 76% of American do not know where Indonesia is. We must change this narrative and allow Americans to know and experience this extraordinary country.

THE BACKGROUND

For the past five years, I have had the privilege to take small numbers of American to Indonesia and explore the diversities and meet its people, and yet many more do not have that opportunity to go there. In population is the fourth largest country in the world, the largest archipelagic nation on earth, with more than 300 tribes living in these islands' nation, and exotic animals only found here. beautiful beaches and waiting to be discovered.

MY PLEA

I know the cost to go there is too high for many Americans, and the distance is intimidating, so I want to bring Indonesia to the USA. I want to showcase Indonesia to my fellow Americans. Something they can see, feel, and touch, but something more permanent, something different. I want to build traditional houses, unique and beautiful traditional architectures that you'll find in Indonesia Islands as

shown on the video you watched at the front.

THE PROJECT

I want to start the first project to be the "Rumah Gadang" or Big House. My intent is to use this to showcase Indonesia. Through traditional dances and music, hand crafts, and food. People can come, see and experience a small sample of Indonesian cultures aimed to spark their interest and to experience the real thing. I would like to build this house as a pilot project and will launch similar projects in the future at different locations across America. I know together we can accomplish this first project.

The city of Waco, Texas is where we will be erecting this architectural beauty. It is strategically located in the heart of Texas, providing visitors to the city (more visitors than the "Alamo" in downtown San Antonio), an alternative location to spend their time in. In accordance with the USA Today Newspaper reports, in 2017 thirty thousand Americans come to this city every single week (Fixer Upper effect). They come to visit the MAGNOLIA MARKET, the brainchild of Joanne & Chip Gaines, who become a household name across America because of their Cable TV series show, “the Fixer Upper.” More recently, according to the Waco Convention Center and Visitor's Bureau, 2.6 million people visited Waco attractions in 2018, generating $56 million in tax revenue (25 News).

Since the people are in the city already, I see this as a golden opportunity to showcase Indonesia with the Big House. When people know and see the unique and beautiful architecture of Rumah Gadang its pretty much guaranties people will come and visit.

THE PLAN

1. To Purchase 16 acres just outside the city, located next to the Interstate HWY I35 Visible to all the traffic going south and north from Dallas to San Antonio.

2. Contract work with builders both from Sumatra as well as local builder to create a workable solution to build the structure according to the US Specification

3. Import materials from Indonesia to create authentic and special designs of the "Rumah Gadang"

4. Start to build this architecture as soon as we have enough funding.

THE NEED

1. US$ 6,000,000.00 with the break down as follows.

2. Get the word out to all Indonesia Diaspora in all of America, and the world, please share this with everyone you know through all communication media you have such as social media or chat groups.

This vision is very ambitious, I know. But I am convince with your help and perseverance we will make this a reality. For the sake of our grandchildren and the future generation of Indonesia Diaspora in America, we have to make this happened. Please visit us at: SBN-ICC

Thank you for your donation and your support.

Susilo "bung CARY" Suprobo

SFC, US. Army (Retired)