Give young people opportunity to express ideas and  give them space to work on, breakthroughs will occur, because they have enthusiasm and idealism to be implemented to develop their hometown. The 'eagerness' to pay attention to their hometown does not come abruptly in the minds of young people, but it is the result of self-understanding and a continuous process of reflection.

This is part of Stube HEMAT's service with its programs that inspire young people to know the ‘calling’ for  their hometown, as well as provide support and space to express their ideas when they return to their hometowns after completing their studies in Yogyakarta. Stube HEMAT activists made various creations and breakthroughs when they returned to their regions through Multiplication program of Stube HEMAT. One of them was Petrus Maure in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), with his efforts to optimize the local potency of coconut and bamboo into a variety of handicraft products with the label ‘Alor Creative 100%’. He also built networks with activists from other communities across NTT region, such as joining the NTT Local Leader, a forum for community activists or in the term ‘Active Citizen’, who took action according to their own skills, self-potency, and hobbies in NTT, plus several external networks that care about NTT. The common hope to be achieved is resolving social and environmental problems that exist in a sustainable manner in each community area for a better condition in NTT.

Due to pandemic of Covid-19, the interactions and almost all activity agendas in the community are reduced not only at the local level, also distribution and financial support from sponsors and reduction on volunteer activities as result of Working from Home (WfH). However,  the activities must continue with new concept through virtual meeting in the form of Online Discussions part 5 'Katong Babagi' (= local dialect of Kupang NTT), which means We Share (on Wednesday, 7/10/2020) initiated by Aryz Lauwing Bara, S.Th (Community of Rumah Mentari Maulafa, Kupang) and Randy V. Neonbeni from the ‘Buku Untuk NTT Community’, North Central Timor regency, Kefamenanu), while Petrus Maure from ‘Alor Creative 100%’ Community spoke as resource person who shared his experiences in Alor.

In the discussion, Petrus explained the creative works in 'Alor Creative 100% community' with spirit to foster the changing of social and environmental conditions through the use of local product and processing them to have a higher selling price for the sake of improving the community's economy through the social business system. Some of the Alor Creative 100% products include Vico (virgin coconut oil), accessories for necklaces, earrings, bracelets and others with a variety of Alor unique motifs and shapes. It was a lively discussion participated by social activists such as Trifosa, Dany DW, Abdul MK Djou, Seprianus Adonis, Diana Tumimomor, Antonio Laka, Riky Lazarus, Deri Neonbeni, Usu Tande, Jakobus Mooy, Ariani Narwastujati and Trustha Rembaka. The results of the discussion: 1) Mutually supporting creative work that is social and environmentally friendly by optimizing local potency in a responsible and sustainable manner. 2) Those who work to process local products and handicrafts, get network support for promotion and marketing, and may be involved in exhibition events with other communities. 3) Collaboration among communities, in the form of ideas and virtual events.

As an effort to support Petrus Maure, the Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT in Alor, Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta designs Local Exposure program to Alor in 2021, by sending students to share their experiences and skills with young people and Alor community. Hopefully, through the interaction and collaboration together, the network that is driven by young activists and communities will be able to contribute a better society, especially in NTT. (TRU)