Working together brings clean water and empowers a community

Cleaner and healthier children

"Now we can take a bath 2 or 3 times a day if we want!" said a voluntary health worker in the village.

Located in a dry mountainous area in the northeast region of West Nusa Tenggara of Indonesia, this remote village is one of the poorest communities in the area.

For years the families here have found difficulties in getting clean water especially during the dry season. Villagers were used to getting dirty water from the nearby river for cooking, bathing, washing and even drinking. As a result, skin diseases and diarrhoea were prevalent in the area.

A meeting attended by Plan’s staff and various members of the community including children, provided the first opportunity to discuss these problems and their possible solutions in a fully participatory manner. The conclusion of the meeting was that the need of clean water was the most urgent problem the community wanted to address.

A survey was done prior to work commencing, and this was found that there was potential clean water source from which a ‘gravity water system’ could be constructed to bring the water to the village.

The community agreed to contribute all the locally available materials needed for the construction such as stone, sand, wood, and also the labour. Additional activities were identified and carried out, such as technical trainings (on installation, repairing and maintenance) and on health and sanitation to ensure the project’s sustainability.

Less burden for women and children to get clean water

Working together to make a difference

This community’s hard work, with the support and encouragement from Plan has ensured a brighter and healthier future for everyone, especially for the children.

The community now feels empowered and motivated to address the other problems they are facing. Thus, they are discussing ways to support the maintenance of the water system and other projects in the future.