By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya.          

Digital media plays a significant role and brings a big impact. It is easier for us to participate, share and exchange information quickly and transparently. With the presence of social media, we are free to make news and have impact to many other people, while those who consume information are also free to enjoy what they want through digital media. Kawara Panamung weaving group, Tanatuku village, which has been running for two years, continues to share stories of activities through social media. From one process to another was shared in stories and photos via Whatsapp, Facebook, Blog articles, and YouTube.

Through the media, Kawara Panamung is known by other people, moreover, the story of this weaving group is different from the weaving group in general because this group departs from zero in weaving cloth. They are youths and women who are not from families of weaving craftsmen but farmers. Therefore, the group's persistent struggle became a story in the media. Through digital media, the Kawara Panamung weaving group received special attention from Dr. Handayani, a doctor in Pahunga Lodu district, the eastern part of East Sumba, by donating 17 skeins of yarn and one pair of spools for the Kawara Panamung weaving group.

Her interest in the group started when she read about the activity of the weaving group participants in mid-2021 in social media. Then, in August 2021 she visited the group who was working on yarn. After visiting, she kept her attention on Kawara Panamung weaving group through social media. Then in April 2022, she decided to support the group work. In addition to the donated yarn and rollers, she committed to assist participants in marketing techniques. She found the spirit of cohesiveness carried out by the weaving group participants in Tanatuku in doing weaving skills. She hoped the threads distributed could be made into scarves and sarongs so that they could be marketed with appropriate prices.

The 17 skeins of yarn were distributed to the group members to be done immediately (9/04/2022). The weaving group members were very happy and grateful that there were good people who were willing to help. Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, the program manager gave direction to the group about the importance of digital media literacy, because through digital media the group can meet good people who were not known before. They are expected to remain active and united to do and upskill their weaving skills. With the presence of the Multiplication program of Stube HEMAT in Sumba, the women in Tanatuku Village have weaving skills and digital literacy. ***