Somatua Foundation Holds Training on Making Papua Batik Crafts Using Patchwork and Quilting Techniques

Yayasan Somatua is pioneering the establishment of a UMKM Center in Timika. One of the steps taken to support this initiative is organizing training on Papua Batik crafts using patchwork and quilting techniques. Patchwork is a craft that combines pieces of fabric with different patterns and colors into new shapes. Meanwhile, quilting is a craft where the entire patchwork fabric is stitched with a running stitch following the patterns on the fabric.

Today (Thursday, 24 November 2022), Yayasan Somatua held a Papua batik craft training using patchwork and quilting techniques at the Somatua Training Center classroom building. This training will last for two days, from 24 to 25 November. Therefore, the foundation invited the Mimika Regency Manpower and Transmigration Office, represented by the Head of the Training Division, and the Industry and Trade Office, who officially opened the training activity today. Two experienced instructors in this field, Mrs. Selly Febrianty and Nurhayati, were present to share their knowledge with the participants, who consisted mainly of Papua women. On the first day, 24 participants attended the training.

“Thank you to the lady instructors who kindly came to Timika and are present here to train the Papua mothers and sisters in developing handcrafted products using patchwork and quilting techniques,” said Maximus Tipagau, founder of Yayasan Somatua.

“Therefore, the mothers present here must learn carefully and diligently through this training, so that they can sew and make clothes, bags, and more. In the future, the mothers and sisters attending this training won’t need to buy such items anymore because they will be able to repurpose used Papua batik fabric by sewing it into new products for personal use or to sell, helping to support their family’s economy. For example, mothers from the Mee tribe weave bags, noken, and even clothes using wool yarn. This training aims to equip all of you with the skills to create things in a different way, such as utilizing leftover fabric to sew bags of various sizes—big or small—that can carry books, water bottles, tablecloths, and more,” Maximus added.

It is hoped that through this training and the strong determination of the Papua mothers to learn, Yayasan Somatua is ready to establish UMKM (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in the field of Papua batik crafts using patchwork and quilting techniques. Let’s create together to build Papua.