The weaving group 'Kawara Panamung' is a women's community formed in the mid-2020s. This community is under the assistance of Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta for the last 3 years and it focuses on woman weaving skills of traditional East Sumba cloth. So far, the weaving group has succeeded in producing dozens of woven fabrics with various types of motifs and different ways of making process. Currently, the 'Kawara Panamung' community is on the step to do self-reliance. In this phase, as a companion, Elisabeth Uru Ndaya invites all group participants to think about the sustainability of the group, located at Elisabeth Uru Ndaya's house (Friday, 22/09/2023).

There are 6 topics discussed as part of the stages to be independent, namely; 1) continue to carry out weaving activities every week by covering accommodation together; 2) think of activities that can generate income in the short term, such as processing local food into ready-to-sell products, in addition to weaving activities which need quite a long process; 3) continue to promote and cooperate with various parties to increase the carrying capacity of the group; 4) collecting fund every month; 5) change of management, especially the treasurer to manage the bank account of Kawara Panamung; and 6) raising goats as a group asset. There were many things discussed by weaving participants related to group sustainability, such as a commitment to continue producing cloth and quality woven fabrics, as well as a time agreement in working on woven fabrics.

In addition, weaving participants agreed to meet to conduct training on making pumpkin-based local food (Thursday, 28/09/2023). The pumpkin cake will be promoted to churches, schools, sub-districts, public health center, and through social media Facebook. In addition, the group will continue to carry out weaving activities while making local food. The meeting of weaving participants received good attention from the board of household welfare program of Tana Tuku village. Group members were invited to visit their vegetable gardens and chicken breeding locations, next to be invited to cooperate in realizing a healthy and nutritionally adequate community.

'Kawara Panamung', the first women's weaving community in Tana Tuku village, Nggaha Ori Angu District, East Sumba Regency, is now increasingly known by the community and the government. The activity of the weaving group participants this month is to complete the final stage of making shawls and Kawuru cloth. Changes in the situation did not dampen the intention and enthusiasm to work on good and quality East Sumba woven fabric.

For readers who are called to support some funding of the women's weaving group Kawaru Panamung, can transfer to this group's account.  Bank account name is Kawara Panamung Desa Tana Tuku, account number: 3500-01-060322-53-8, BRI Unit Pandawai, East Sumba. Happy sharing, women are capable to leap forward. ***

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya.          

"Empowered women will continue to innovate and think creatively to achieve independence and the benefit of many people. However, empowerment and equality for women will be successful if various parties work together in synergy. On the other hand, it is necessary to increase skills and professionalism so that women have good qualifications to compete. This is an opportunity and a challenge for women. It means that even though opportunities are open and various job fields are open, however, if women are unable to take advantage by improving their quality and there is no social support from the family, then women will automatically be eliminated," said Selia Narwastu Nangi, the resource person in the discussion of traces and control of women in remote villages (Waingapu, 05/05/2023).

Selia Narwastu Nangi, S.I.Kom is a female founder and volunteer of the 'Cahaya Anak Sumba' reading community which is engaged in non-formal education in East Sumba. Since 2015 while in college, she has been actively participating in volunteer programs and active in several character-building communities for children and women until now. She received an award for her struggle for non-formal education for children in Sumba and was named the winner of the 2019 Kanaga Award (Young Agent with Impact for Eastern Indonesia) by the Plan International Indonesia Foundation. On this occasion, Selia shared her experiences while she was fighting for the rights of children and women in her area in Mbatakapidu Village, Waingapu district, East Sumba Regency. She shared her reasons to become an activist, which started from her anxiety at the injustices that were happening to young girls in her village, as in general young girls did not continue their education because they were forced to have families. Selia also loves children very much. She found that many children in remote villages did not know letters and could not even speak Indonesian well, therefore she voluntarily gathered the children in the hills, guided and taught them for years until she finally had a reading garden community.

Suharyati, a participant, asked how she fought for girls in her village who were forced to marry. Selia explained, she made continuous approaches to parents' and girls’ families and approached the local government through related agencies. She became the contact person between the government and the girl’s family. She admitted that it is not easy to handle a case like this, but even though it requires a long process, she has succeeded in handling the same case not only once and that has succeeded in making several children continue their studies well. During the discussion, Margareta, the discussion participant asked what difficulties and challenges she had faced so far. Selia said that at first there was no support from her family, many people doubted her, and even some did not accept what she did. However, as time goes on everything changes, then her family is supportive, many networks can be invited to work together to build the village and even in the next few months, she will take part in a volunteer program in New Zealand. Knowing the spirit story of Selia, made the participants present at that time feel challenged to do something for their village.

At the end of the discussion, she emphasized, “Young people in the village must carry out a movement and bring impact, you must be active and productive, because if it doesn't start from us, who will start? Young people must be able to explore the potencies of their villages and to discover work opportunities. We also have to be able to fight for the weak in our respective villages.” ***

Women and men are an integral part of the nation's entity, and all rights including political rights are guaranteed by the Constitution. When women and men have equal opportunities to be active in various fields and make decisions, the policies that emerge are representative and inclusive, especially decisions to achieve better village development. The struggle of women to be heard, considered, and to occupy important positions is still weak so there are few women in the village involved in making policies or decisions. Women must be encouraged to be enthusiastic, confident, not ashamed and afraid, and active women. The women in Tanatuku village, Nggaha Ori Angu district, East Sumba regency face such problems.

From this condition, the Multiplication of Stube-HEMAT in Sumba continues to voice women's rights and the potency of women's leadership. Taking place in Waiwakih, Elisabeth as a companion provided views and hopes of women by opening insights about the importance of women leaders (30/3/2023). To be leaders, women must be strong, have the ability to take care of themselves, take care of the household, and other bigger things. In general, successful female leaders are those who are also successful to manage their households. One of the participants in the discussion, Lodiana Hembir, commented, “Nowadays, women's sense of concern and willingness to sit together to discuss something important is decreasing. Not only matters in the village, but many women are also reluctant to get involved in church service.” Meanwhile, another participant, Yuningsih, thought the reason why women in the village were mostly disinterested in such activities was feeling unconsidered, having no speaking skills, and limited experience in an organization.

Elisabeth said, "I hope that the women who are present now, if you want to be qualified women, you have to keep on learning, be role models, passionate about building togetherness, so that one women's organization may be formed in Waiwakih, Tanatuku." Elisabeth also emphasized several points of being a qualified woman, such as being wise to control her ego so that woman does not flow away easily, showing mature characters, not being easily swayed by what people say, being able to see everything thoroughly with various perspectives, and being able to communicate well. The ability to communicate is the main skill for a female leader to interact, convey information, and build relationships so that everything remains conducive and running well.

The discussion was exciting, the participants hoped that more and more women would join the women's committee and study together. They are very enthusiastic how to grow community and bring a positive impact for their family and surroundings, like their female friends in the Kawara Panamung weaving community. Women, sure, you can! ***

Harvesting Gustavi F1 tomatoes and planting Dewata 76 F1 chilies         

What are farmers waiting for the most? The answer is the harvesting time! The Multiplication of Stube HEMAT collaborated with the 'Tunas Baru' group carried out a symbolic harvest of Gustavi F1 tomatoes and planted Dewata 76 F1 chilies at the same time. The activity is not just an annual event but also campaigned a new perspective to see the agricultural sector as a key sector for food security, and growing work motivation to cultivate the potency of land and water resources in Sumba. The most important is how to farm in new and practical ways.

This activity took place at the Horticultural Agriculture Study Center (Saturday, February 25, 2023). The opening and welcoming ceremony took place indoors, then followed by symbolic harvest at the rice fields. East Sumba Regent, Drs. Khristofel Praing, M.Sc is a key figure in the symbolic harvesting of Gustavi F1 tomatoes and intercropping system planting of Dewata 76 F1 chilies, that’s supported by elements of the Representatives of East Sumba Regency, East Sumba Police Chief, Dandim 1601, Agriculture Service of East Sumba Regency, Coordinator of Red Arrow in Sumba, financial institutions (BRI, Swastisari Cooperative), Lambanapu BP3K, the head of Kambera District, Malumbi Sub-District Head, Lambanapu Sub-District Head, community leaders, members of young farmers and several other farmers.

In his speech, the Regent of East Sumba expressed his support for the symbolic harvesting activities by the 'Tunas Baru' farmer group, "We need a community that is proactive in helping the government create food security. I am proud that there are youngsters from Lambanapu who want to farm in the newest ways.” Furthermore, Frans Fredi Kalikit Bara, the leader of the 'Tunas Baru' farmer group and Multiplicator Stube-HEMAT said, "Symbolic harvesting is not just a harvesting activity, but an education for other farmers, that millennial farmers will introduce some simple innovations that make farming activities easier, such as simple drip irrigation for watering plants, gravity fertilization, watering system fertilization, and intercropping system planting."

This activity will be carried out not only in Lambanapu, Kambera district but also in other districts in the East Sumba regency. This symbolic harvest in Lambanapu became a model (pilot project) and the audience could adopt and replicate it in their own districts. Let us move together for food security in Sumba. ***

Multiplication of Stube HEMAT Sumba – Livestocks

It is not easy to re-ignite the enthusiasm of pig farmers who previously suffered losses due to the ASF Virus. Creative ideas are campaigned to bring back their enthusiasm for raising livestock. A discussion and sharing were held in Praipaha to produce fresh ideas for pig farmers (Saturday, January 26, 2023).  They are pessimistic and difficult to come up with new ideas, but through discussion, they found the idea to campaign pig farming competition and create a pork culinary center.

Pig contests are a step to encourage breeders to have healthy pigs. Meanwhile, pork-based culinary businesses are an ecosystem of livestock businesses and it is hoped that culinary innovations can be provided. The criteria for livestock that can enter the competition include clean and proper pens, healthy and fertile pigs with categories based on the type of pigs, including the category of native Sumba pigs, cross-breeding pigs, durog/lendris pigs, the number of livestock owned, and the processing of alternative feeds. The jury team can be selected from the Animal Husbandry Service, the Faculty of Animal Husbandry of Unkriswina, Unkriswina Animal Husbandry Students, the local government, and the Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT.

Besides that, the business center for pork-based culinary centers was discussed in Waingapu which included making a special pork restaurant (Saturday, February 11, 2023). The restaurant has a big opportunity by looking at the market share in Sumba, which mostly consumes meat. The discussion includes a place that must be strategic, raw materials and dishes must always be available, provide several menus of dishes, and sales models by offline and online. The readiness of equipment, place, chefs, and other raw materials is quite good, just waiting for safe conditions.

The challenge of this business is the threat of another ASF virus attack which has reappeared in several areas in the NTT province, including Southwest Sumba regency. ***

Topping of Chili Plants and Pruning the Lower Leaves of Tomato Plants

The most important thing that farmers should do, is improving their knowledge continuously to farm enthusiastically and productively. Considering that agriculture is a food supply sector that’s needed by everyone, the number of farmers is expected to be increasing to concentrate on the development of agriculture and horticultural production in Sumba. For this reason, the Multiplication of Stube HEMAT invited the Matawai farmer group to study together and learn technical instructions for chili plants and tomato cultivation in Malumbi village, Kambera District, East Sumba Regency.

Most of the farmers in Malumbi are bamboo wall craftsmen. Besides farming, they have bamboo weaving skills, and to support their daily life they produce bamboo crafts for sale. Their skills are much better than their farming skills, therefore the technical knowledge of cultivating horticultural crops, especially chilies and tomatoes, needs to be improved. The Multiplication of Stube HEMAT collaborated with the Matawai farmer group to conduct training in Malumbi village (Monday, January 30, 2023). The participants consist of elder people and several young people. They are very enthusiastic to ask questions related to topping on chili plants and pruning the lower leaves on tomato plants because such practice was new for them.

The topping on chili plants aims to increase the number of new sprouts under the V branch so that the chili plants will have lots of fruit stalks and each plant will produce more chilies when compared to chili plants without topping treatment. The plants with topping tend to be short and round. In tomato plants, the pruning focused on the lower leaves and lower sprouts to maximize fruit production, the nutrients provided to the plants will focus on the flowering process and fruit growth. The level of fungal and bacterial threat on pruned tomato plants will be reduced and the light intensity will be maximized. Have a nice process, Matawai farmers. ***

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, S.Pd.          

There are adolescent girls as victims of promiscuity and pregnancy out of marriage both in urban areas and villages like in the Nggaha Ori Angu district. It happens because teenagers, especially in rural areas, face a transition of values so that they are trapped in promiscuity and premarital sexual behavior. It was accelerated by advancing information technology that is easily accessed bringing both positive and negative impacts.

Adolescent girls need to know the health of their reproductive organs and how to maintain them because they are vulnerable to infection with HIV/AIDs and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, the problems of adolescent reproductive health need special attention. The Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Sumba collaborated with Child Fund organization to socialize the issue to the youth in Tanatuku village, considering that they are easily influenced by new things both positive and negative. Ignorance of reproductive issues can lead to pre-marital pregnancies, abortions, free sex, and even drug abuse.

The socialization was held at the Kawara Panamung weaving house by Viktor Ndena from  Child Fund (Friday, 18/01/2023). Some village youth as the caring generation attended the event. They were provided with material on reproductive health and the bad effects of promiscuity. The presenter introduced the reproductive organs belong to both men and women and how to take care of them. After that, he explained what HIV/AIDS is and how it is transmitted, which can occur due to excessive use of needles, frequent changing of partners (sexual intercourse), and blood transfusions contaminated with HIV/AIDS.

On this occasion, Alfin Lestari, a village youth, explained the current youth interaction that affects future life. Yulen Tanggu Hana, a student at STT Lewa, also gave her view on how to be a healthy teenager and free from bad relation. She asked, "Are there any boys here who have girlfriends?" The youths simultaneously answered "Yes" while blushing. Yulen also reminded them to be careful in dating. Viktor once again emphasized the consequences of promiscuity which will impact oneself, such as being ostracized by the environment, experiencing shame, feeling inferior and even having a worse future.

The activity is expected to educate young people in Tanatuku village, so they can understand and maintain reproductive health and can inform their peers around them about reproductive health. ***