Cilegon, August 14, 2025 – Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, together with POSCO and KRAKATAU POSCO, has once again joined hands for the “2025 POSCO 1% Foundation Echo Village” program, held from August 10–14, 2025, in the Ciwandan and Citangkil sub-districts of Cilegon City. A total of 44 participants—comprising 24 POSCO Korea volunteers and 20 staff members from PT Krakatau POSCO—took part in the initiative. This program is part of a long-standing collaboration spanning over a decade between POSCO and Habitat for Humanity, aimed at improving the quality of life for low-income communities.

The 2025 activities focused on building six environmentally friendly homes for low-income families in Kubangsari, Tegal Ratu, and Samangraya. These houses feature eco-brick walls made from recycled plastic waste, rainwater harvesting systems, and septic tanks with soak pits for safe sanitation. The designs meet the Ministry of Public Works and Housing’s standards for decent housing, as well as the Ministry of Health’s healthy home indicators—ensuring structural safety, proper ventilation, natural lighting, and adequate space for family privacy.

Beyond home construction, the program also included school facility renovations, Healthy Home and Building Back Safer (BBS) training for 50 participants, and disaster preparedness initiatives in Samangraya. This involved training 50 members of Urban Disaster Preparedness Team (TSBK) and supporting the community’s application for the official “Disaster-Resilient Urban Village” (KALTANA) status with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Achieving this status would open access to official resources, funding, and support, while empowering residents to better anticipate and respond to future risks.

The program concluded on August 14, 2025, with a key handover ceremony and the presentation of a framed certificate as a symbolic gesture of delivering the house to the beneficiary family. The ceremony was followed by a traditional pencak silat performance by the local community and a dance performance presented by volunteers from Korea.

Read also: Beyond Borders: POSCO and Habitat for Humanity Collaborate to Build a Better Future

Deputy Mayor of Cilegon, Fajar Hadi Prabowo, expressed his appreciation for this collaboration. “We would like to thank POSCO and Habitat for Humanity for the decent housing construction program for the people of Cilegon. This program is align with the government’s initiatives. We hope Cilegon can follow in the footsteps of POSCO and Habitat to build more decent houses for the people of Cilegon,” he said.

Abraham Tulung, General Manager of Resource Development at Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, expressed his gratitude to POSCO, “We deeply appreciate our long-standing partnership with POSCO. Through this collaboration, countless families have experienced real, tangible change in their lives. We hope this partnership continues and inspires more people to join us in building safe and healthy homes.”

The 2025 POSCO 1% Foundation Echo Village program is proof that cross-border collaboration can create meaningful change. With a shared spirit of solidarity and compassion, this initiative has sown optimism for the future of families in Cilegon—turning Habitat for Humanity’s vision of ‘a world where everyone has a decent place to live’ into a reality.

Writer: Syefira Salsabilla

Photo: HFHI/Kevin Herbian

(av-kh)

Yogyakarta, 2 August 2025 – Behind the green hills of Nglipar, Gunungkidul, lies the true story of the Pengkol Village community’s struggle against drought. Every drop of clean water is precious—not just for daily needs, but also as the first line of defense to protect the health of families and the future of their children. 

However, water isn’t just about availability. It’s also about awareness, knowledge, and real action. This was the spirit of the event titled “Clean Water, Healthy Lives: Together We Protect Water for Nglipar’s Future” on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Over 200 residents, from children and housewives to community leaders and youth organization members, gathered at the Pengkol Village Hall to participate in a series of educational, interactive, and fun activities. 

The morning began with a Germas exercise that sparked enthusiasm and served as a reminder that a healthy body starts with small movements. The children were excited to participate in a hygiene-themed coloring contest, while adults were invited to explore learning booths on clean and healthy living behaviors (PHBS), such as managing clean water and practicing proper handwashing. 

Each booth was presented in an easy-to-understand way, complete with interactive games and entertaining quizzes. Not only did participants gain knowledge, but those who completed the quizzes also received a hygiene kit as a token of appreciation. 

Read also: Habitat for Humanity Indonesia Brings Clean Water Access to Gunung Kidul

Ibu Tini, a manager of the Pengkol Village Balai Pintar Library, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, “Today’s activities were so much fun. The kids were all happy to join the coloring contest and listen to stories, and the mothers and fathers were happy to participate in the PHBS booth quizzes and get hygiene kits as prizes. I hope Habitat can continue to hold beneficial events like this for the community, especially for Pengkol Village.” 

This event wasn’t just about education. It was a shared space to build new habits, foster a sense of care, and grow a collective awareness: clean water is everyone’s responsibility, clean and healthy living can start at home, and big changes always begin with small steps. 

“In the village, we often don’t wash our hands properly, we just rub them together. But from this event, we were reminded how to wash our hands correctly so we can avoid diseases,” said Ibu Masikem, a Pengkol Village resident. 

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia collaborated with community leaders, volunteers, and local communities to ensure this event had a real impact. This included efforts to find local leaders who could become WASH Champions, agents of change from within their own communities. Because we believe a decent home, clean water, and a healthy environment are everyone’s right. 

From one small village, we can ignite great inspiration. From one small step, we can create a cleaner and healthier future for generations today and tomorrow. 

Writer: Syefira Salsabilla

Foto: HFHI/Patrik Cahyo

(av-kh)