Umamanu Village, a community blessed with abundant natural and human resources, is now undergoing a significant transformation through the establishment of its Village Website — a result of close collaboration between the Village Government and CD Bethesda YAKKUM. This initiative is not merely about technology, but marks a new milestone in building a more transparent, accountable, and participatory village governance.

According to the Head of Umamanu Village, Roldias Rongga Lapu, the village website has become a service hub that makes it easier for residents to access various types of information and government services. “Before the website existed, we relied on billboards and other limited manual methods. Now, all services—from administration, health, economy, to community empowerment—are available in one digital platform. People can access it anytime and anywhere,” he said

Faster and Easier Public Services

In the past, students and residents who lived far from the village had to wait a long time to process documents or obtain important information. Now, they can easily access self-service features through the village website without having to visit the office in person. This not only saves time and effort but also encourages active community participation in village development.

Boosting the Local Economy through Digitalization

The Umamanu Village Website has also become a bridge for local micro-entrepreneurs to expand their markets. The “online marketplace” feature allows MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) to promote and sell local products digitally. “This is a real solution to the problem of limited market access we have faced for years,” explained the Village Head. In addition, the village government has integrated the website with Koperasi Merah Putih to strengthen the agricultural, livestock, and tourism sectors — the main pillars of the village’s economy.

Foto Kepala Desa Umamanu
Roldias Rongga Lapu

Accurate Data as the Foundation for Policy

Another advantage of this digitalization effort is the availability of complete and accurate data. Health data, extreme poverty records, village potential, and human resources are now regularly updated and serve as the foundation for policy-making.
The Village Head added, “Our village has great tourism potential, from waterfalls, Kolam Jodoh, Makarapu, to coastal areas that have yet to be fully developed. With comprehensive data, we can plan development programs more precisely and effectively.”

Infrastructure and Human Resource Challenges

Despite significant progress, Roldias acknowledged that several challenges remain to be addressed. Limited internet infrastructure remains the main obstacle.
“At present, we have allocated a budget for Starlink and website hosting, but the internet network is still not evenly available across remote parts of the village,” he explained. In addition, improving human resource capacity has become a priority so that all village officials and website management teams can optimize the use of this technology.

Looking Ahead

The Village Head of Umamanu hopes for continued support from both district and national governments, especially in strengthening infrastructure and human resource training. “The Village Website is not only a service tool, but also a symbol of major transformation for our village. With the right support, I believe Umamanu can grow stronger, more transparent, and self-reliant in this digital era,” he said with enthusiasm. The digitalization of Umamanu Village stands as tangible proof of how technology and collaboration can bring meaningful change that touches every aspect of rural life—paving the way toward a brighter and more inclusive future. (Oktavianus)