Sehati Weaving Group of Noibila village was formed in 2018 with 20 members consisting of youth and older adults. The group is led by Martha Sanam. Tenun Sehati produces South Mollo weaving and has patent rights on several South Mollo weaving motifs.
Despite holding a patent, Tenun Sehati group produces woven fabrics solely upon receiving an order. This encouraged the group to think of other alternatives that could increase weaving production.
TLM Foundation, which previously collaborated with Noinbila village through Farmer Group Empowerment with Industrial Corn Cultivation program, offered a Village Community Economic Empowerment program through Weaving Modification Training activity. The offer of this activity was welcomed by the group leader, Mrs. Martha Sanam.
Weaving Modification Training “making accessories from woven materials” was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 13-14, 2024 at Sehati Weaving House, Noinbila village. The training in this activity were Nita Liwulangi and Yesaya Yalla, owners of EnsiKei shop, a woven modification accessories shop in Kupang.
For two days, members received courseware on Making Accessories such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets made from woven patchwork fabric and Marketing Management courseware including product packaging, determining the basic price based on materials, labeling and marketing strategies.
Mrs. Sanam representing Tenun Sehati group expressed her appreciation for training that supports the economic improvement of its members.
“Before the training, I completely had no idea how to make accessories, we saw people wearing nice accessories and I asked what the accessories were, how to make them. After this training, I now earn Rp.10,000 every day. Many people ask me to make accessories from natural yarn. So I teach my children and my husband to make them as well, allowing us to meet the growing demand."
Mrs. Martha is deeply grateful to TLM Foundation for facilitating this activity that they are genuinely passionate about.
“TLM Foundation charitably helps us, we are so grateful and we can only pray that TLM Foundation's services will expand and spread to other villages.”
The group members are increasingly demonstrating their creativity. They used various materials around them to modify such as strapping bands for bracelets, adding leftover weaving threads for earrings, and making various patterns for necklaces.
TLM Foundation also provided the group with in-kind packages in the form of production materials and tools such as; accessories display racks, pliers, scissors, necklace ropes, earring wires and other that allow the group to produce regularly for the results to be marketed, both in their respective homes online and displayed at the Sehati Weaving House along with their woven products.
The group agreed to use the name Kefnoni as the identity of the accessories they produce. This name is a family name that connects the families of all group members. Through this name, members hope that their work and business will be more advanced and recognized by many people. This gives Kefnoni a new meaning, not only as a family bond, but also as a symbol of the members' passion and creativity to continuously improve their quality of life.
