In 2022, Hester arrived as a volunteer at the Sumba Hospitality Foundation and initiated a small sewing workshop to breathe new life into donated garments and old textiles. Fast forward three years, and the project has grown into a thriving initiative, employing a seamstress.

The sewing hub plays a crucial role in the Foundation’s zero-waste efforts, ensuring no textiles go to waste, supplying the organization with practical and creative products, offering unique upcycled souvenirs for guests, and educating students on sewing and upcycling techniques. Most recently, a local teacher has been trained as well further spreading sewing skills across the island.

Karaja Sumba is a beautiful and impactful initiative founded by Roswita Asti Kulla in Lamboya, dedicated to empowering Sumbanese women through traditional weaving skills while uplifting them from poverty and preserving their cultural heritage.

In January 2024, Asty and Hester joined forces to further expand the organization’s reach and impact. A milestone was the opening of the Upcycling Hub in January 2025, where four local weavers are learning to upcycle garments and textiles. This initiative not only equips them with skills to support their livelihoods but also contributes to a local solution for the global textile waste crisis.

Since 2022, Hester has been exploring Garment Durability and its role a just circular transition. She never anticipated to be so captivated by the concept, as it ultimately led her to pursue a PhD on the topic at l’ENSAM Paris. This has resulted in two scientific publications so far.

Moving to Sumba gave her research a new dimension, making it more critical, action-driven, and collaborative. Her work with the Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF) and Karaja Sumba continuously enriches her findings, allowing her to develop circular solutions for textile waste while simultaneously empowering women through sustainable craftsmanship.