EN-ID Blog
The dry season always brings anxiety to the residents of Cicadas Village, Kadumanggu, Babakan Madang District, Bogor Regency. For them, it’s not just about the scorching sun, but also the time when water becomes a scarce commodity. However, this year, the atmosphere in the village is different. Hundreds of families welcome the dry season with an unusual feeling: happiness.
Whoosh!
The clear sound of clean water gushing from a hose echoed amidst the laughter of children playing under the sun. They were playing around a sturdy new water tower, built by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia along with philanthropists and volunteers. The water is clear, odorless, and flows strongly without obstruction. This sight marks a significant change in life for Cicadas Village.
Just behind the children, Ms. Teti, a housewife and member of the water management committee, was calmly washing dishes. Her hands were nimble, but her face conveyed deep relief. “I’ve lived here for decades, and this is the first time I’ve experienced water that is truly clean and can be used anytime,” Teti said when we met on June 25th.
Ms. Teti, along with hundreds of other families, had long yearned for access to clean water suitable for daily needs. For years, they could only rely on polluted river water for bathing, washing clothes and dishes, and even cooking. It was not uncommon for them to use water from rice field irrigation channels, which were unfit for consumption.
Conditions worsened during the dry season. Residents had to walk long distances carrying buckets to get water. This activity not only drained their energy but also consumed time that could have been used for work or caring for their families. Often, the collected water was murky and contaminated.
“That dry season lasted four months, and we were all very troubled, Sir,” Teti recalled. “We carried large buckets all the way to the big river source, using vehicles. The fatigue was immense,” she added.
Teti also shared that due to the use of unclean water, children in her village often experienced skin problems. Itchy skin and infections were common complaints. All of this went on for years without any real solution.
Read also: Habitat for Humanity Indonesia Brings Clean Water Access to Gunung Kidul
A ray of hope appeared when Habitat for Humanity Indonesia arrived, offering assistance in providing access to clean water. By partnering with various organizations, two water towers were built to meet the basic needs of hundreds of residents and students of SDN 06 Babakan Madang. Water from the river around the village is filtered through a filtration system, making it suitable for consumption as declared by the local Health Office.
Teti said that now residents no longer must struggle to find water, and more and more people are starting to use clean water facilities. “Now we don’t get tired of looking for water anymore. Many residents here are also flocking to use this clean water,” Teti said.
Access to clean water forms the foundation for the emergence of a healthier, more productive, and empowered community. In Cicadas Village, time previously spent searching for water is now used for working, schooling, and caring for families. Teti mentioned that children now rarely experience skin complaints, parents look more focused on their livelihoods, and interactions between residents have become closer thanks to shared facilities managed collectively. Access to clean water has strengthened the spirit of cooperation and social care within the community.
This program is part of the commitment to the sixth point of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which affirms that access to clean water and sanitation is a basic human right. Through the construction of clean water infrastructure, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia restores dignity and opens the way to a more decent future for Indonesian families.
For anyone who wishes to contribute to real change, this program is open to support. Every contribution, no matter how small, will contribute to a healthier and more dignified life for many families across the country.
Visit: habitatindonesia.org/donations/membangun-air-bersih
(kh/av)
