Footprints Series Water.org Indonesia

Footprints Series
Indonesia
May-July 2017
vol
01
Clean Water and Sanitation for All
Finding Clean Water
and Toilet Dignity

Water Water.org Water Water.org Water.org Waterdotorg
Greetings!
Indonesia
I am so pleased to be able to publish our very first Water.org Indonesia
letter. With the warmth of Eid al-Fitr 1438 still enveloping us, allow
me to wish you all mohon maaf lahir bathin, and to seek your
forgiveness for any untoward inward and outward thoughts and
deeds over the last year. It is our hope that the spirit of both Ramadan
and its culmination in Eid al-Fitr continues to strengthen our
work for a better world.
You may be unaware that we have been working in Indonesia now for
four years. Of course, striving hard to ensure clean water and sanitation
is available to all is no easy matter, especially as we are still very
much in our infancy when it comes to this kind of work if compared
to the workers, practitioners and other organizations that have gone
shoulder to shoulder to ensure Indonesians obtain access to clean
water and sanitation.
It is wonderful to see the progress in the field and the size in the
footprint of those who are working to implement our programs for
access to clean water and sanitation that can be reached by the
community. We will be sharing these stories here and in future
editions.
We know that Indonesia is always ranked low in any achievements
relating to access to clean water and sanitation. But seeing the
process that we are in the middle of carrying out, along with our
working partners and the people who are trying to improve their
quality of life for the better, we are optimistic that Indonesia is
heading for the best. Achieving access to clean water and sanitation
for all. These processes are not visible if just seen from the perspective
of performance metrics. But from here we can see that everyone truly
wants to improve their quality of life: but access to clean water and
sanitation remains the fundamental need.
May-July 2017
SeriCerita Tapak vol
01
Indonesia
Air Bersih dan Sanitasi Untuk Semua
Selamat Tinggal
Jamban tak Bermartabat
Cover: Desa Gedang-gedang, Batu Putih,
Sumenep District, Madura Island, East
Java Province.
Pictures taken by: Musfarayani
In this issue we will be bringing you stories from Madura, Wonosobo,
Batang and Tangerang. We will meet Pak Sarkawi who wants to
uphold the honor of his wife by providing her with the best bathroom
and toilet at home, so that his wife no longer needs to defecate and
bathe at the spring. Then there is Sudhana who wants to make sure
all of his nearest neighbors are able to access the closest source of
clean water so they do not have to walk so far just to get their water.
Meanwhile Hayati from Tangerang is seeking to build a toilet with
dignity so that her children, grandchildren and inlaws can enjoy
Lebaran and stay for longer periods during holidays at her modest
home.
These are the stories that make us both enthusiastic and optimistic
about Indonesia. We want you to share our excitement as well as start
to see the many solutions that are emerging that will ensure that
everyone in Indonesia is able to access access clean water and
sanitation.
We pray that you will find this newsletter enjoyable, useful and
enlightening to read.
Warm wishes,
Gusril Bahar
(Country Director Water.org Indonesia)

Board of advisor :
Gusril Bahar
Ratih Hardjono
Editor in Chief :
Musfarayani
Data Base :
Reny Yuniawati
Contributor
Dwinita Wulandini
Hariri Abdul Kahar
Layout and Designer :
Restu Hadi Pangersa
Copyright@water.org Indonesia 2017
first Print, July 2017
CONTENTS
Water and Life
3
6
Dignity Toilet
11
15
17
Water base communities
19
Water Connection
23
Behavior Change
26
27
Media
29
A Water Tank and Healthy Toilet
to Honor the Wife
Using Installments to Pay for a
Water Tank to Enable Direct Access
to Water in the House
A Dignified Toilet at Lebaran
for Grandchildren and In-laws
Profile: Kopsyah BMI
Kopsyah BMI, a Cooperative That Cares
About Sanitation and
the Health of Its Members
From Defecating in the Sea
to a Toilet With Dignity
Profil BPSPAM Reco:
Water.org Loan Repair
Quality and Service
PDAM Batang Coming,Tumpeng Citizen
No Need To Queue for Water
When Nazava Replaces Raw Water
Nazava Credit for the Health of the Baby
Joint Discussion and Dialogue Water.org
and Media:
Issues of Clean Water and Sanitation
Close With Poverty
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form without the express permission of the publisher in writing.

Water and Life
A Water Tank and Healthy Toilet
to Honor the Wife
A Water Tank and Healthy Toilet to Honor
the Wife Sarkawi, 49, a resident of Batu
Putih Laok village, in Binagong hamlet, in
the sub-district of Baru Putih, Sumenep
District, Madura, did not think his life
could change for the better over the last
three months. Now he and his wife, who
still have a child under five, no longer
need to queue to get water and bathe
because they have a bathroom and
healthy toilet inside the house. Even
better, the water flows directly from the
faucet to the bathroom and toilet that
has just been built.
There is a toilet and bathroom as well as
the faucet that sends the water directly
there. It means I am protecting the
dignity of my wife. She no longer has to
be bothered to go to the spring to bathe
and to draw water. She also doesn’t need
to defecate in the garden or river. She can also look after our baby
for longer. Usually we take it in turns to look after our child if one of
us has to go to the spring or to defecate,” explained Sarkawi who is
a non-permanent teacher Batu Putih Elementary School.
Sarkawi and his little family
the front of the new bathroom
and their healthy toilet.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
His wife Syahni, 36, agrees. She no longer has to feel embarrassed
about menstruation. In the past when only limited water was
available when the dry season came, she felt uncomfortable during
the day because she could only clean herself as best she could
with what she had. She no longer feels afraid about defecating in
the evening because the toilet is close to the house and is
equipped with water that flows from the faucet.
“Our life is now much better since we applied for credit from the
Sumenep District People’s Shariah Credit Bank (BPRS) to install a
water tank at a cost of Rp 5 million. We can pay by monthly
installments of Rp 108,000 over three years. But we are also
thinking of installing a toilet and bathroom at the same time. The
total cost will be Rp 15 million. Installments are truly heavy and it
means I have to work even harder than before for the sake of what
is best for my wife and child,” he explained.

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
4
As an elementary school teacher in the
village, he receives an honorarium of Rp
500,000, which he said was not enough to
pay the installments on the Rp 15 million.
Luckily he still has a 1.5-hectare garden
and four cows that he has assigned his
brothers to look after. Sarkawi usually
plants corn, cassava and a variety of
secondary crops in this garden. Sarkawi
was sure that the he finds easy to access
would increase the yield of his farm
products as well as the quality of the milk
of his cows.
“In the past our garden and cows relied on
rainwater. The garden is rain fed.
Meanwhile for water for the cows to drink
we collect the rain using a tarpaulin that is
low-income communities. Under this
program BPRS customers are offered
three products: Access Clean Water
(water tanks), sanitation (bathroom,
toilet and its sanitation), as well as
Nazava (filter water). This finance
program represents implementation of
the cooperation between BPRS with
Water.org for the WaterCredit program
that was signed in April 2016. The total
grant given was US$ 147,649. It is
expected that as at March 2019, BPRS
will be able to channel the Sadar
Bersih credit to up to 6,000 people.
Sarkawi obtained information
concerning the BPRS Sadar Bersih
program from the sanitary worker
Sarkawi was sure that the he finds easy to access would
increase the yield of his farm products, since has water tank.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
then placed into a jerry can. During the dry
season, we are forced to go to the spring
several times to ensure that there is enough
water. The dry season makes our life
increasingly difficult. We hope the water
tank will make our life even better,” added
Sarkawi.
Credit for the water tank from BPRS has
now lightened the burden of life as well as
raised the quality of life of his family. BPRS
Bhakti Sumekar is a local
government-owned (BUMD) micro financial
institution. BPRS has several financial
products of which Sadar Bersih is the one
used for the installation of the water tank.
This program is part of the BPRS program
with Water.org. It seeks to ensure affordable
access to clean water and sanitation for
assigned to the village. BPRS and the
local sanitary worker jointly promote
this product. The sanitary worker
spearheads the village Puskesmas in
providing awareness of sound
sanitation using a direct approach to
the community. It is via their
information that residents seeking to
improve their quality of life by
obtaining access to clean water can be
facilitated via the Sadar Bersih credit.
“Not having a bathroom has also made
me embarrassed. One day the head of
the school, my boss, stopped in at the
house. Because it was hot and he’d just
finished playing sport he wanted to
take a bath at the same time. I said
that if he wanted to take a bath he had

Thanks to WaterCredit makes my family
become healthy and comfortable.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
to go to the river first. That’s where
we usually bathe,” explained Sarkawi
laughing as he recalled it.
“You are teachers, how come there is
no bathroom, toilet and clean water.
Still defecating in the open. How can
you be a good example to your
students,” scolded the head of school
at that time, half joking and half
serious. Sarkawi could only excuse
himself and smile wryly. Certainly he
was embarrassed.
In Binagong hamlet it is not only
Sarkawi who finds it difficult to
access clean water directly to the
house. Nearly all residents of this
hamlet experience the same thing.
“Yes, well, what can you do?
Conditions are like this. If you want to
build a bathroom and toilet you
need to pay. More than that, there
needs to be water. In our village it’s
difficult to obtain water. We even rely
on water for farming. We also have to
collect rainwater in a tarpaulin for
our livestock to drink,” explained
Sarkawi, the father of two children
who are still toddlers.
access clean water. The response was
to build two household water
pumps. But these were allocated to
two other villages that are even drier
than their village. Since then they
have just had to accept the situation
for what it is.
Because of that, the presence of
BPRS Bahkti Sumekar and its Sadar
Bersih program is expected to be
able to provide a better life. At the
very least, that’s his experience. Now
Sarkawi very much values water, and
does not forget t work hard.
“Every time I sit on the toilet to
defecate I immediately think, this is
not yet paid for, it’s still on credit. So
it must be looked after properly. This
is also the case when I’m bathing. In
my head I immediately remember
that water is not yet paid for. So it
must be used properly. This water
credit. Not yet paid for,” said Sarkawi
with a laugh.
(Musfarayani/Water.org Indonesia)
In fact, he and several residents had
already submitted a proposal to the
government seeking assistance to

Footprints Series | vol 01
6
May-July 2017
Water and Life
Using Installments to Pay for a Water Tank
to Enable Direct Access to Water in the House
Every morning and afternoon the only spring
in the village of Gedang-gedang, Batu Putih
sub-district, in Sumenep District, Madura,
East Java, is always kept busy with residents
visiting to queue for water. It’s even busier in
the dry season, because residents from other
villages also come to draw water from the
only spring in this village. Local residents
have nicknamed this water source
“deg-deg.” While there is really no true
meaning of deg-deg, it is synonymous with
the sound of a thirsty person drinking water,
rather like the “glug, glug, glug” heard
coming from his throat.
Sudhana, 50, and his wife who are residents
of Gedang-gedang village are also one of
those who often go to the deg-deg spring in
order to meet the drinking and cooking
needs of their family. Sudhana and his wife
can go up to three times in the same day to
draw water from the spring for their house,
which is located around 2 km away, and for
which they must go by foot. Early morning,
afternoon and late afternoon. Sudhana’s
house itself is situated on high ground, while
the spring sits below the village not far from
the edge of the coast. He carries two buckets
of water, each containing up to 25 liters
each, meaning that he must carry 50 liters
every time.
Sudhana goes to the deg-deg spring more
often when the important high religious
celebrations such as Hari Raya Idul Fitri and
Idul Adha arrive. Many guests, such as family
and close friends, will visit his house; several
will also stay overnight. This means he must
ensure there are enough supplies of water in
his bathroom, as well as for brewing hot
drinks (tea and coffee) or for cooking the
food to be served to guests. And this does
not yet include washing.
“It’s also like this when the dry season
comes, when the deg-deg spring starts to
run dry. Very dry. Then we must wait another
five or 10 minutes until we can collect and
ladle the water. I feel sorry for residents of
our neighboring village in the mountain
who suffer even more. They must walk even
further to the deg-deg spring. And the
available water is limited,” said Sudhana.
Most residents of Gedang-gedang village,
including Sudhana, are farmers. They use the
rain fed system for their farms and gardens.
Most residents meet their needs from this,
Sudhana, and his wife who are residents
of Gedang-gedang village are also one of
those who often go to the deg-deg spring.
(Picture: Musfarayani)

and work hard as Sudhana does. Sudhana
even opened a business renting out sound
systems that could be used for functions,
celebrations and weddings in the kampongs.
Sadhana rents them out at a daily
rate of Rp 750,000 to Rp 1 million. At the
very least this additional income really
helps if drought occurs due to a prolonged
dry season, when water shortages means
income from their farm products proves
unreliable.
One day he saw his distant neighbor, who
had become an artesian well worker, sink
an artesian well at the house of a resident
in the neighboring village, to obtain water.
Sudhana asked about the cost of building
the artisan well and the water storage. His
brains ticked over and he began to calculate.
If he also had an artesian well and
water tank then his family problems
relating to difficulty in accessing water,
would be over. However his heart jumped
when he heard how much it would cost to
build an artesian well and water tank.
“If it added up, it was Rp 30 million. Where
would I get the money? But I must have
facilities at the house to obtain water. I feel
sorry for my wife if she has to draw water
from the spring. Later, as we get older, we
won’t be able to get the water. Aside from
that, if I have my own artesian well and
water tank I could also help my neighbors
whose lives are even more difficult than
mine. I could also distribute water to my
neighbor. Later I would be able to earn
more because my time would not be

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
8
Sudhana use the rain fed system for their farms and
gardens. Most residents meet their needs from this.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
wasted going to the springs to draw
water,” he explained.
Eventually Sudhana sold cattle, along
with some of the gold he’d saved, and
the proceeds of his chili jamu (ed:
natural remedy) enterprise from his
garden. He also borrowed several
million from his neighbor with whom
he has close relations. In the end he
collected Rp 20 million. But was still
short of another Rp 10 million. He
thought of borrowing again from his
neighbor or family, but he knew that
he would be meeting one of the field
staff of the Gapura branch of the
Nahdlatual Ulama’s Baitul Mal wat
Tamwil (BMT NU), a shariah-based
micro finance institution. After listening
to his situation, BMT NU Gapura
was ready to lend him Rp 10 million.
The requirements were that he must
provide BMT NU Gapura with a guarantee
in the form of a Motor Vehicle
Ownership Logbook (BPKB). Sudhana
said the process was quick and easy.
BMT Gapura’s “Hidup Sehati” Finance
Program is part of a program that it
implements together with Water.org to
provide disadvantaged communities
with access to clean water and sanitation.
The program was agreed to and
signed in May 2016, and became
operational in December 2016. It is
targeted to reach 9,075 customers in

the Madura region by 2019, enabling them to obtain access to
clean water and sanitation. At present Hidup Sehati financing has
been channeled to 80 people in Madura, while 356 have obtained
access to clean water and sanitation.
“Now everything is installed. I enjoy my life, which is a lot easier
these days. I can give the water to neighbors, those who disadvantaged,
or who are poor. This is my charitable act for them. But there
are also several neighbors who want to connect to the water from
my tank so that it can go directly into their houses. I have done
some calculations. They can pay me monthly. This is what I use to
pay my loan installments,” he added.
There are now around 10 neighbor-residents of Gedang-gedang
with water connected directly to their houses. Pipes have been
supplied to those who want them. Sudhana himself explained that
in fact his village had proposed the local government provide
access to water for residents. Although there were several pumps
for the wells that were installed, they could not reach his house let
alone many of the residents in his village. When asked whether the
Pansimas program had come to his village, Sudhana responded
with a question because he did not know what Pansimas was, as
well as its role. So far residents must struggle by themselves to
obtain access to clean water. These days Sudhana feels it is not
necessary to think about this and he is only focused on what he
owns now and works even harder to pay his installments.
“Honestly speaking there are many expenses. It’s not enough to rely
on the results of the garden and the rental of the sound system. I’m
now doing additional work so that I can pay for these installments.
I’m now a white sand collector. I stay overnight in this location for
10 days and am only in the house after that, if there is no harvest or
planting season. Only a few days at the house. Aside from the
installments, there is the cost of buying diesel for the artesian well,
which costs Rp 13,000 for two liters of fuel every two hours,” he said.
(Musfarayani/water.org Indonesia).

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
10
Sudhana and wife are now enjoying their life since have
water installment at their house, thanks to WaterCredit.
(Picture: Musfarayani)

Toilet Bermartabat
A Dignified Toilet at Lebaran
for Grandchildren and In-laws
Ever since they were married, Hayati, 55, and
her husband, Nurhadi, 55, have never owned a
toilet at their house located in Kampung Cayur,
Desa Sindang Sono village, Sindang Jaya
sub-district, Pasar Kelurahan District, in the city
of Tangerang in the province of Banten. This
situation remained unchanged [ed: at that
time], even though their house has gradually
transformed itself from a hut with a cement
floor to its present brick walls and ceramic
floors. If a member of the family wishes to
bathe, they will go directly to the kitchen. There,
a small simple room without a roof, with a door
closed by a tarpaulin, is used as the family
bathroom. Inside, there is a hand pump to draw
the water.
If they wish to defecate, she and her family will
walk around 200 meters to a small pond
located in the garden. At the end of the pond in
the garden sits a small, basic 1.5 x 1.5 meter
cubicle with triplex walls and without a roof.
Hayati will carry a bucket of water from the
house to wash the floor after defecating. If it
rains, she will bring an umbrella. When evening
arrives she does not have to worry. Her husband
will light the way ahead using a small light bulb
on top of a tree in order that she doesn’t have to
worry about falling over in the dark. Doesn't this
make her life difficult?
“No, not at all. I have been used to it since I was
little. We never had a toilet in our house. Just
went to the garden and that was it. We were
also healthy. If it rained, yes it was muddy, but
you could wash your feet in the kitchen. So we
did not feel it was necessary to build a
bathroom and toilet in the house. It smells,
right,” explained Hayati with a laugh.
However the custom of defecating in the pond
in the garden itself did “force” changes that
went hand in hand with three adult children,
now married, with children of the own, and
now living separately in their own homes. Two
of the children live in Jakarta. Meanwhile
Hayati been used to it since she was little went to
garden for defecation. But not now anymore. She
has a new healthy toilet inside her house
(Picture: Musfarayani)

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
12
Their house has gradually transformed itself from a hut
with a cement floor to its present brick walls and ceramic
floors. It has completed with Bathroom and toilet inside.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
another child is living alongside the
parents, with a similar lifestyle to that of
Hayati and her husband. Meanwhile the
two in Jakarta have a very different life.
They are like most Jakarta residents who
mostly have their own toilet and
bathroom.
“Every holiday, and if there is a family get
together, they come to our house. But
they do not stay overnight. They also only
eat and drink a little, even though I’m
the one who cooked and prepared
everything. Their reason is that if they eat
and drink a lot they are then worried
about having to urinate and defecate,
which means they have to go to the
pond. They say it’s muddy and
disgusting. Not only that, what makes
me really sad is that every Lebaran when
they do come here, my children and
their families from Jakarta do not want
to stay the night. My in-laws even said
they are embarrassed if they have to
bathe with a door that is only closed by
a tarpaulin, and it’s also a bother if they
want to defecate. After Lebaran it gets
deserted quickly. They go home directly,
and do not stay overnight. I’m
embarrassed because every time the
in-laws and grandchildren come my
house it’s not comfortable for them,”
explained Hayati.
Ramadan arrived again in 2016. Hayati
began to become anxious. She wished to
renovate her bathroom and kitchen. Her
house was no longer just a room, and the
floors were now tiled. She feels the
kitchen, especially the room for the
bathroom, contrasts with the present
condition of the new house. Not only that,
she is worried about the coming Hari Raya
Idul Fitri [holidays]. She thinks she will be
embarrassed if her in-laws and
grandchildren do not want to be at her
house for a long time, just because there
is no toilet or bathroom. But building a
kitchen and toilet needs a lot of money.
Meanwhile her husband is only a collector
of the solid waste that is left over from the
factories in the neighborhood around
their kampong. [This means] it is
necessary to save for a long time and
juggle the money if the house is to be
equipped with a proper toilet and
bathroom.

An offcial from Kopsyah BMI came to the village to promote
their Water Management and Sanitation Program. Hayati
problem finally solved.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
“My husband’s income is erratic. It’s there,
but it’s not much. If we are lucky, we are
able to get a lot. We’ve even [been able] to
get Rp 20 million per truck. But not every
day, not every week. Sometimes there’s
nothing at all for one or two months. This
means we must think where can we find
money. We are scared to borrow money
from moneylenders [loan sharks]. Likewise
the banks, which have various
requirements,” she explained.
[Sometimes] what we once dreamed can
become a reality. An official from the
Tangerang, Banten branch of the
Indonesian Shariah Microfinance
Cooperative (Kopsyah BMI) came to the
village to promote their Water
Management and Sanitation Program. In
addition, this program also offered
additional loan facilities for education and
home improvements. All of this arrived at
the right time, and at the time Hayati
needed it most. And when she heard the
easy conditions, she didn’t have to think
too long. Hayati said she would like to join
the program.
“I wish my children, in-laws and
grandchildren could visit my house for
a longer period of time; and even stay
over night next Lebaran,” she said.
After a simple administration process,
Kopsyah BMI approved her loan
proposal. Previously Hayati had
registered as a member of BMI, which
speeded up the process. Under this
program Hayati was proposing to build
the toilet facilities and bathroom
earlier, prior to renovating her kitchen,
at a cost of Rp5 million that could be
paid by installments over three years.
She would be paying installments of
Rp 66,000/week to Kopsyah BMI,
collected by an official who would go
from house to house of each of the
participating residents.
“Participating residents in this
sanitation and water management
program are most diligent in making
payments. So don’t look down on
low-income people making payments
by installment. Ibu Hayati is able to
borrow again after the installments on
the bathroom are finalized. This means

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
14
she can obtain another loan for
renovation of her kitchen,” explained
BMI Field Manager for Pasar Kemis
branch, Yanita Nurmala.
Yanita and several field staff from
Kopsyah BMI go to the field not only to
offer credit. Sometimes they also carry
out promotion as well as raise the
awareness of economically
disadvantaged communities, which
form their target, that ownership of
sanitation facilities enables the
communities to raise the quality of their
life. This program is actually a program
funded by Water.org through Kopsyah
BMI to ensure low-income communities
have access to clean water and
sanitation.
“This program allows people like Ibu
Hayati to have the opportunity to raise
the quality of their life, including their
dignity as parents. She now has a toilet
and sanitation that is dignified and that
she can be proud of with her in-laws
and grandchildren,“ explained Yanita.
Yes, Hayati can now be proud even
happy. When Lebaran arrived, the toilet
and bathroom of her dreams had been
built. Last Lebaran was a big surprise for
the children, in-laws and grandchildren
from Jakarta.
“They not only visited last Lebaran, but
also wanted to stay because our house
now has a comfortable bathroom and
toilet. Even my grandchildren want to
stay overnight in our house during
school holidays. Now I am not
embarrassed with my own in-laws. I no
longer have to defecate in the pond in
the garden,” Hayati said proudly.
(Musfarayani/Water.org Indonesia).
Finally they have own dignity toilet and
healh bathroom inside their house.
(Picture: Musfarayani)

Dignity Toilet
Profile: Kopsyah BMI
Kopsyah BMI, a Cooperative That Cares
About Sanitation and the Health of Its Members
There are not many financial institutions
in Indonesia that have the courage to take
the risk to issue credit to their members
or clients with low incomes for the
construction of facilities that will provide
access to clean water and sanitation in
their homes. Major capital is needed,
along with the right way to promote it, as
the product being sold is not something
that is eagerly sought after.
The Indonesian Micro Shariah Cooperative
(Kopsyah BMI) takes this risk and turns it
into an opportunity. It makes micro credit
available for the management of
sanitation and clean water on a
household scale. This is focused on
thousands of its members, in Tangerang
District, Banten. Most are Low Income
Communities (MBR) and do not yet have
facilities with access to clean water and
sanitation.
“We initiated this product based on our
concern for the lives of members of the
cooperative who are far from prosperous
and healthy. We wish to turn the
cooperative into a cooperative that the
people can rely on. This could be for the
welfare or health of members, so it is
not just a savings and loans facility,”
explained Kopsyah BMI President
Director, Kamaruddin Batubara.
large expenditure, it was not considerd a
major need. Buying a smartphone, phone
credit, snacks for their children, cigarettes
and education expenses were matters that
were higher in priority.
Approaching the community takes a long
time. In the process of meeting them,
several donor institutions that work in the
field of providing access to clean water
and sanitation were encountered. From
this [experience] Kopsyah BMI realized
that it needed its own approach as toilet
and septic tank construction also needed
to comply with national health standards.
It immediately changed its strategy and
began to approach clients directly in the
field.
“Our field staff are promotional staff and
we carry out promotion first before we
offer to build toilets and septic tanks. This
triggers feelings of embarrassment as
when they defecate outside their house,
However the problem was not as
simple as it seems. The cooperative
was pioneered in 2002, when it was
part of the financial services offered
by Mikro Tata Griya and known as the
Shariah Financial Services Cooperative
(KPP-UMKM Syariah). In 2015 it changed
its name to Kopsyah BMI. Back then many
members did not perceive [toilets] to be a
priority in their life as they were still comfortable
about defecating in the river or garden. Further,
as construction of toilet and septic tank required
Kopsyah BMI have the courage to take the risk to issue credit
to their members with low incomes.
(Picture: Dok.Kopsyah BMI)

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
16
commenced in January 2014 with a grant of US$
187,274 million or around Rp 2,424 billion, and
continued until December 2016. The funds
subsidized operations such as the cost of
making the product, training, marketing,
monitoring and evaluating the cost of the
program for water and sanitation with
Kopsyah BMI Tangerang for low income
communities in Tangerang. In the three
years of working together with Water.org,
Kopsyah BMI has targeted provision of
easy and low cost means to fund access to
clean water and sanitation for 5,222 families
in Tangerang, most of whom are generally
low-income communities.
Kopsyah BMI had exceeded the target given by Water.org to
provide access to clean water and sanitation for up to 5,800
families from low-income communities
(Picture: Dok.Kopsyah BMI)
for example, their intimate parts can be seen.
We also approach them from the religious
perspective. Cleanliness is a part of faith. At the
time when we held close discussions with the
target residents, especially for women and
children, they said they truly wanted a toilet
and septic tank in their house. However they
were not the ones making the decision. We
then took a more serious approach. At some
point they would then state they needed it. We
didn’t need to force them. They even began to
look for us, “said BMI’s Pasar Kemis Branch
Field Manager, Yanita Nurmala.
WaterCredit for Kopsyah BMI
After improving the method of approach and
promotion using the Community Based Total
Sanitation (STBM) trigger, Kopsyah BMI was
flooded with orders to build toilets and septic
tanks. Challenges reappeared. It lacked the
capital to meet the wishes of all of its members.
Not all large financial institutions are
open to lending working capital to cooperatives.
Not only is the issue not popular, the
community borrowing the funds is perceived
as not having the capacity to repay as they
consist of low-income communities.
“It’s true that our members are mostly from
the economically disadvantaged. They have
never paid by installments. Yet they are able to
pay installments. Because of this, the
WaterCredit program from Water.org was
offered to us. And we are now able to meet all
of their requirements,” said Kamaruddin.
The WaterCredit program for Kopsyah BMI was
water.org’s first cooperation in Indonesia and
By the time the cooperation had ended, Kopsyah
BMI had exceeded the target given by Water.org
to provide access to clean water and sanitation
for up to 5,800 families from low-income
communities (as at the end of January 2017).
According to the Country Director of Water.org
Indonesia, the WaterCredit program shows the
low-income communities that they are able to
have guaranteed access to clean water and
sanitation both easily and cheaply. This Water.org
program works with financial institutions such as
Kopsyah BMI to ensure that this WaterCredit
program is sustainable. Later, Kopsyah BMI can
then use the installments paid by the Low
Income Communities to serve other
economically disadvantaged communities.
“It’s different from a grant or a free service, where
the funds are unable to reach many low-income
communities and where the program cannot be
sustainable because it depends on grant funds,”
explained Gusril.
The WaterCredit program needs to affirm the
value of education, as well as promote awareness
of an understanding of the importance of access
to clean water. This means Kopsyah BMI is not
seen as just providing credit, but as also going
into the field to trigger education and awareness
in the community. WaterCredit from Water.org
will continue to work together with Kopsyah BMI
in the future. A second phase will target 10,000
low-income communities and will enable them
to obtain access to clean water and sanitation.
Water.org’s WaterCredit program is also carried
out in conjunction with 10 partners serving 12
provinces in Indonesia, from Aceh to West
Sumatra and NTT.

Dignity Toilet
From Defecating in the Sea
to a Toilet With Dignity
For residents of Desa Longos village in the sub-district of
Gapura, in Sumenep District, in Madura, East Java
Province, defecating in the public toilets alongside Port
Bintaro is normal. Children, adults, men or women alike,
they will all take their turn to queue to defecate there,
especially in the morning or afternoon. The toilets are
basic. Made from triplex or zinc, the waste goes directly
onto the foreshore.
“Yes, it’s been like this since I was little. But I was forced to,
because there was no other choice. I wasn’t game to ask
my parents to build a toilet. My parents were poor. My
father was only a ship’s laborer. Frankly speaking,
defecating is not a nice experience. All the more so if it
happens during menstruation or if you have diarrhea,”
explained Masniatun, 25.
Masniatun also added that in addition to the public toilets
alongside Port Bintaro, she and other residents also
defecated in the river. They felt this was more comfortable
because they didn’t need to bring any water, as they could
clean themselves directly with the river water. But when
the dry season arrives, the river dries up and there is a
strong smell of human waste in the air.
“When the water recedes, you can see the waste,” she
explained. Even the smell of goats is much better than
human waste,” said this mother of a boy who will turn
four this year.
Masniatun’s story is a thing of her past. Nowadays she has
had her own toilet in the bathroom of her house for the
last few months. The toilet with a septic tank that she
owns was built at a cost of Rp 1.5 million which she has
been paying by installments of Rp 93,000/month since
December 2016, for the next 20 months.
Public toilet along Bintaro Port, Sumenep, Madura.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
“I think I’m lucky because the Village Head arrived at the
house and offered the Clean and Healthy program from
BMT Gapura (Baitul Mal wat Tamwil, a shariah-based
micro finance institution). I thought this government
program provided free assistance, but it turns out that it
didn’t. I was disappointed, but when [I knew] you could
use credit I straightaway asked my husband to pay for it
by installments because the price was affordable. My
husband and family agreed. I really like it,” explained
Masniatun, who ended her education at junior high
school level.

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
18
Masniatun and her son Finally have dignity toilet
(Picture: Musfarayani)
Financing of the Healthy Life (Hidup Sehati)
Program from BMT Gapura represents
implementation of the cooperation with
Water.org that provides access to clean
water and sanitation for disadvantaged
communities. This program was agreed to
and signed in May 2016 and has been in
operation since December 2016. This
Financing Program is targeted to reach
9,075 customers in the Madura region to
enable them to obtain access to clean
water and sanitation through to 2019. At
present financing of the Healthy Life (Hidup
Sehati) program has been channeled to 80
people in Madura, with 356 already having
obtained access to clean water and
sanitation.
“I like it because this time, I can now feel
calm and comfortable about defecating
in my own home. I’m not soaking wet
from the rain, and I’m not scared of
defecating in the evening because it’s
not necessary to go to the port or the
garden. It’s not a problem during
menstruation and I can feel clean
throughout the day. And more than
that, my son doesn’t have to experience
the uncomfortable situation that I went
through when I was little only because
we didn't have a toilet. Now my son
loves being in the bathroom. His hobby
is bathing all the time. There’s lots of
water, it’s comfortable, and he even
wants to play all the time in the
bathroom,” Masniatun added with a
laugh.
(Musfarayani/Water.org Indonesia).

Water Base Communities
Profil BPSPAM Reco:
Water.org Loan Repair
Quality and Service
Although flanked by two mountains, Mt.
Sindoro and Mt. Sumbing, as well as
surrounded by plantations of second crops
from the dry season that look fertile, it does
not mean that there is an abundance of
water in this area located in Desa Reco
village in the sub-district of Kretek, in
Wonosobo, Central Java Province. In fact the
community has used rain-fed methods for
many years to farm the various kinds of
second crops that provide their major
source of income. However to meet their
drinking and cooking needs, they must,
with great difficulty, obtain water from the
springs that are located a long way below
this village.
“In the past we had to carry water to the
house from the springs situated below so
that we could cook and have water that
was fit to drink. But nowadays it’s not as
difficult as it was in the past. Faucets stream
clean water directly into our bathroom in
the house. This means it’s no longer
necessary to struggle just to get water. We
never thought it was possible to have a
strong stream of water into our houses,”
explained the Chairman of the National
Supporting Agency for Water Supply
System Development (BPSPAM) for Tirto
Sari Reco, Woenadi, 45.
It is no easy matter to obtain clean water
that is able to flow directly into the houses
of village residents situated above. It
requires a lot of money to get piped clean
water, or for the village to do it by
themselves for their collective interests.
There is no regional drinking water
company (PDAM) service to the village.
BPSPAM Reco increases water capacity by building one unit of
drilling well which they credit from BKK Wonosobo
(Picture: Musfarayani)

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
20
“PDAM is unable to distribute water here.
We do not know why. In the Reco region
there are villages where water is easy to get
and where there is abundant water that
can be channeled to the house. There are
also villages that are dry, like ours. In 2013
Pansimas (Water and Sanitation
Community Based) arrived to build drinking
water infrastructure that we could manage
by ourselves. After that it was easy to obtain
water. We managed it ourselves with
contributions from residents who wanted to
become subscribers. Nearly everyone was
happy because they could obtain water
directly to their houses. However two years
ago, the service was paralyzed when the
electric water pump was struck by
lightning,” said Moenadi.
It needed a lot of money to repair it.
Water.org arrived through its local central
facilitator who carried out an assessment to
ensure that residents who found it difficult
to obtain water could obtain it. The
National Supporting Agency for Water
Supply System Development (BPSPAM)
Reco became the major target of Water.org
and they were able to add a clean water
service to 255 household connections.
Through the Community Based
Organization (CBO) program to manage the
water on a community basis, Water.org
expects that the work carried out can be
sustainable by connecting BPSPAM Reco
with a local bank partner.
“Early on we had to ensure that the
BPSPAM was also bankable. We gave
training in administrative management as
well as strengthened its organization, so
that the local bank would want to lend to it
because it had met the bank’s
requirements. Water.org also connects
banks or microfinance institutions that are
able to provide credit programs for
managing water to the local BPSPAM, with
requirements that are easy and quick, and
without extended and troublesome
bureaucracy,” said the CBO Senior Manager
of Water.org Indonesia Rachmad Hidayat.
Woenadi showed out the village water management machine facility.
(Picture: Musfarayani)

With a loan from Water.org partners, BPSPAM Reco now can
fix the pump machine that had been struck by lightning.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
The WaterCredit program in Wonosobo is
currently channeled through the People’s
Credit Bank (BPR) sub-district credit agency
(BKK) for Wonosobo. Although there are
four BPSPAM, only two have just started to
channel credit.
“We have very easy requirements under this
program. BPSPAM doesn’t need to provide
a guarantee or collateral for the channeling
process to be carried out. Together with
Water.org we also provide training and
knowledge to BPSPAM on how to best
manage financial activities,” explained
Mamat, a member of the board of BPR BKK
Wonosobo.
On 10 November 2016, BPSPAM officially
obtained a Rp 77 million Water
Management Credit from BPR BKK
Wonosobo. This amount is designated for
repairing the pump that had been struck
by lightning, as well as to construct other
artesian wells that are capable of
discharging water at a rate of 2
liters/second from artesian wells sunk to a
level of 90 meters.
“Our objective in obtaining this loan is
clearly only to ensure residents in our village
who had yet to obtain water, could now
obtain it. [Just] Imagine how the
distribution of water to the houses of our
subscribers was blocked when the lightning
struck our village. Now we manage 250
household connections with drinking water
faucets that go directly to their houses.
Even with this limited capacity we were
also forced to add 30 household
connections, so it exceeded the target, even
the service capacity of BPSPAM Reco,”
explained Moenadi.
The BPR BKK loan that is supported by
Water.org is expected to be able to
anticipate any damage to the system, such

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
22
that there is no disruption in the water
service to residents. The new artesian wells
that have been constructed are also
expected to be able to reach communities
in other villages who need it. Moenadi said
it is currently difficult to meet the demand
from other villages that find it difficult to
obtain water.
“The loan of Rp 77 million from Water.org
through BKK BPR Wonosobo is able to be
paid by installments through us over three
years, or 36 months, with installments of Rp
2.5 million/month. We obtain money for the
installments through the subscription
contributions. They pay in accordance with
their usage, which we calculate at 1 cubic
meter of usage valued at Rp 1,000 plus an
administration fee of Rp 2,000. This is much
cheaper compared to that paid by PDAM
subscribers. We are managing this, not for
commercial interests, but only to ensure our
residents will find it easy to obtain water. So
it is not truly free but it’s also not
commercial,” explained Moenadi.
“It’s also more economic and efficient for
our subscribers. Several residents have wells
with their own pumps. One of them had to
pay up to Rp 130,000 for electricity. After
becoming a subscriber he now only pays Rp
90,000 for electricity plus a subscription fee
of Rp 17,000. So there are many benefits,”
he explained.
Another Reco village resident, Sutono, 45,
said that since he became a subscriber with
BPSPAM, it was no longer necessary for him
to go and down from his village just to get
water.
“We really have to spend a lot to install pipes
and water meters. But this is all in
accordance with our capacity. Now the
water flows directly to our bathroom. I don’t
have to spend my time carrying water. My
wife and children are also comfortable with
their activities. Out life is much better,”
explained Sutono.
(Musfarayani/Water.org Indonesia)
With a loan from Water.org partners, BPSPAM Reco now can
fix the pump machine that had been struck by lightning.
(Picture: Musfarayani)

WaterConnection
Clear Water Piped Directly Into the House,
Gunung Tumpeng Residents Feel Healthier
Malekah, 42, tries to be patient as she
queues to use the water to bathe and
wash at a public bathing, washing and
toilet facility (MCK) owned by the
residents of Gunung Tumpeng hamlet,
located in Desa Dlisen village, in
Batang District, Central Java Province.
It's crowded in the morning and
afternoon and Malekah feels lucky that
her house is only 10 meters from the
communal MCK, so she can be there
quicker than the others and at the
front of the queue. Some of the other
women and men try to wash on the
banks of the river located outside the
communal MCK building.
“After doing the washing we will also
bathe at the same time. It doesn’t
matter if there are men there as we
(women) use a sarong (to bathe with).
We’re used to it,” she explained.
In the meantime, when it comes to
cooking and drinking water needs,
Malekah will usually go on foot for
around on hour to obtain water using
two buckets. She does this every
morning, before her children go to
school, as well as in the afternoon. The
springs are clear and are located
below the village. All the village
residents who are not yet subscribers
to the Regional Drinking Water
Company (PDAM)’s piped water
service will also go there just as
Malekah does. The murkiness of the
water from the river closest to the
village means it cannot be used for
cooking or to be boiled for drinking
water.
Malekah usually wash and queue for bathing in the public bath
or river before subscribing to Batang PDAM.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
Malekah is not the only resident of
Gunung Tumpeng hamlet without a

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
24
bathroom and who must travel far to
obtain clean water from the river below.
Almost all Gunung Tumpeng residents
will do the same. Like Sumiyati. Sumiyati
relates that she and her husband must
go by motorcycle to the springs to obtain
clean water that will then be used for the
cooking and drinking needs of her family.
The distance to the springs is around 4
km. So it’s a reasonably long [trip] for
residents to go to if they don’t have a
motorcycle like Sumiyati and her
husband.
“We must queue if we want clean water.
Conditions are worse when the dry
season arrives. The water source at our
springs becomes murky. Sometimes we
have to go even further to obtain better
water,“ explained Sumiyati.
Meanwhile Sungkono, 45, whose house is
close to the springs, is not bothered.
However she still has to share it with the
Sungkono enjoying water direct to his house.
(Picture: Dwinita Wulandini)
other residents who need [water]. But like
them, she will also need to search for water
when the dry season arrives and the springs
turn murky.
At other times, the condition of the water in
the river is not good, always dark brown or
murky. And because there is no other
choice, Sumiyati and Sungkono as well as
their families, will experience itchy skin.
However they’re used to it. They don't care
about it any more. And they just accept it.
Assistance From
Water.org Grant
These days the lives of a large number of
Gunung Tumpeng residents is much
different now that piped water from PDAM
Batang, Central Java, has come to their
region together with easier ways of
Life more easier with water direct in our house, said Sumiyati.
(Picture: Dwinita Wulandini)

meteran air PDAM Batang yg dipasang dekat rumah warga.
(Picture: Dwinita Wulandini)
financing connection of the pipes to their
houses. While PDAM Batang could do it on
their own, they have joined forces with
Water.org Indonesia in the Municipal Water
and Wastewater Utilities Pilot Project, aided
by a grant of US$ 66,660 or Rp 866,580,000.
The program operates from 20 September
2016 to September 2019, and will target
2,900 household connections in Batang
enabling them to access PDAM services.
This program is aimed at ensuring residents
such as Sumiyati, Sungkono and Malekah as
well as residents of Gunung Tumpeng, of
which the majority are laborers and
small-scale farmers on low incomes can
obtain assistance to access clean piped
water.
“This program greatly helps PDAM Batang in
extending access to residents who need
clean water. It is really not cheap to connect
pipes to locations that are geographically
challenging such as Gunung Tumpeng,”
explained the President Director of PDAM
Batang, Yulianto.
Under this program, PDAM provides an
affordable loan to residents to provide them
with access to the clean piped water
managed by PDAM Batang. Residents can
obtain a loan of Rp 600,000 with six months
to pay at 0% interest. Monthly installments
are Rp 100,000 including principal and
interest. Malekah has already made two
installments on her loan.
“Since operations began in September
2016, 1,351 household connections of a
total number of 5,830 have been connected,”
added Yulianto.
The manager of Water.Connect PDAM
Water.org Indonesia explained that this
program has helped PDAM raise its service to
the community. This includes the demand for
PDAM to increase the ability of its human
resources to provide transparency in its
services. Water.org also ensures PDAM is
accountable for its activities and every
expenditure it undertakes.
“It is hoped that this program will become an
example for other PDAMs so that they are
able to increase their role and services,”
explained Dini.
Many connections have now started to be
installed in the houses of Gunung Tumpeng
residents. Malekah, Sumiyati, Sungkono no
longer need to go out for extended periods
of time just to get water. Malekah is also able
to earn more money from her melinjo nut
crackers than previously. She is even able to
allocate a budget that was previously
expended just to obtain water for her other
more important needs. Now that they are
able to obtain piped clean water directly into
their homes, Sumiyati and Sungkono no
longer suffer from itchy skin. While some
residents still wash and bathe at the
communal MCK, it’s become easier these
days to get clean water for drinking and
cooking.
(Musfarayani dan Dwinita
Wulandini/Water.org Indonesia).

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
26
Behavior Changes
When Nazava Water
Replaces Raw Water
Usai pulang sekolah Khofifa langsung ke dapur dan meminum air
mentah yang ditampung di bak air.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
Khofifa, 16, has just arrived home after
studying at Aliyah Madrasah her school in
Lapadaya village, in the sub-district of
Dungke, Sumenep District, in Madura, East
Java. Still wearing her school uniform she
goes straight to the kitchen, which is
separate from the main house. She
approaches the water tub, then ladles out
the water using the dipper, and then
drinking the water directly from the end of
the dipper.
Yes, Khofifa drank the raw, unprocessed,
water just like that. Directly from the
special tub for the water that had been
left open since the evening. She used the
rest of the water in the dipper to wash her
face, with skin the color of ripe sapodilla.
“We have been used to drinking raw water
since we were little. Directly from the
water tub, just get the dipper, and drink.
Our parents also did this, as did our
grandparents back in the day. So it’s
difficult to stop doing it (the habit of
drinking raw water),” explained
Khumaeroh, 29, the elder sister of Khofifa.
Khofifa and Khumwaterah really do not
know that directly drinking raw,
unprocessed water without boiling it first
is extremely bad for the health. They
thought it was okay. Just as their
grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents
are still doing, even now.
“We’re taught that, in school. Our teacher
says it’s best to boil the water. It’s healthier
because it kills the bacteria in the water.
But boiling water is a bother isn’t it? You
have to find the firewood, then light it, and
then use it to boil the water. My mother
says that it’s important that the water is
pure (clean) and then just read the

Bismillah over it (ed: the prayer that
mentions the name of God in the name of
safety). God determines it,” explained
Khofifah, who smiled with certainty at the
thought.
In Madura, especially in Sumenep, the family
kitchen is usually separate from the main
house. In the kitchen there is a wood stove
that is used for cooking. Boiling water in a
huge pan for the needs of the family with
this stove requires a long time, likewise
cooling it. So boiling water is not considered
practical. This is in addition to believing that
drinking raw water directly from the well or
water tub is extremely refreshing as it’s
directly from nature. This is still the
understanding of the family of Khumaeroh
and Khafifa.
Yet Khumaeroh and Khafifa are not alone in
drinking raw water directly from the water
tank or well. According to Ellya Fardasah, a
dentist who heads the Pandian community
health center (Puskesmas), and who is also
the former head of the Dungke sub-district
Puskesmas in Sumenep District, explained
that almost 80% of the 1,041,915-strong
population of Sumenep still drink raw water.
“In the olden days, in the days of our
ancestors, natural conditions in Madura
especially in Dungke sub-district, were
good, the forests were still looked after,
and perhaps you could drink the water
directly without boiling it, so it still felt
fresh and natural. Even so, she explained,
drinking raw water was not healthy.
Nowadays, nature has changed. I feel the
freshness and purity of water here is no
longer the same as it once was. This is all
the more so in cases where the water has
been stored in an uncovered tub. We can
never know if there are animal droppings
in it. It is prone to all kinds of things and
dangerous to drink raw water,” she added.
Nazava Credit for the
Health of the Baby
When the People’s Shariah Credit Bank
(BPRS) of Sumenep District, Madura, a
local government owned micro financial
institution, issued its “Sadar Bersih”
financial product, Ellya greeted it
enthusiastically. The Nazava is one of its
products and at the very least is a possible
The stove in the traditional Madurese kitchen in Sumenep.
Cooking water is considered troublesome..
(Picture: Musfarayani)

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
28
solution to ensure residents are able to
drink clean and healthy water without the
need to boil it first. For cadre (in a
community program for health instructors
at the household level) and the midwife
deployed to ensure that all pregnant
women and children realize they have to
stop drinking raw water, Nazava can
provide the answer to those who find
boiling water to be bothersome.
In the case of Khumaeroh for example, her
awareness was finally directly triggered
when she went for her pregnancy
check-up at the Puskesmas. The midwife
who examined her asked about her eating
habits during pregnancy. The midwife was
a little shocked when she knew
Khumaeroh drank raw water during her
pregnancy. When the midwife explained
the bad consequences that would follow if
she continued to drink raw water,
especially for her unborn baby,
Khumaeroh then decided not to drink raw
water again, especially if there was an
alternative solution offered.
“The midwife explained that raw water has
a lot of bacteria that can have a negative
impact on the fetus. I wanted to stop
drinking raw water. But in our family none
of us boil the water. It’s too much bother.
The midwife offered a filter. No need to
boil it. And it was guaranteed clean and
safe. The cost is Rp 300,000. I explained
this to my husband, asked his permission
and he approved it straight away. We gave
a ring as collateral to buy the Nazava filter
on credit. I want my child to grow up
healthy and I wish to set a good example
so that he has a better and healthier life,”
explained Khumaeroh.
Only Khumaeroh’s close family drinks the
clean, healthy water through the Nazava.
The rest of her larger family still drink the
raw water, that is, except for her uncle,
Yasin, 42, who is also participating in
drinking the clean and healthy water via
the Nazava
“This feels right for the over-thirties.
Drinking raw water leads to bloating and
upset stomachs. Everyone who drinks raw
Among her big Family, only Khumairoh, husband and their
babies who does not drink raw water. Their drink health water
from Nazava.
(Picture: Musfarayani)
water will feel this the older they get. But
now that I have started to drink clean and
safe water, I’m not so bloated and have
started to return to normal,” he explained.
The Nazava is issued by BPRS as part of
concern on the part of the Sumenep
District local government financial
enterprise for to its customers who need it.
“Sadar Bersih” is one of its finance
products. Under this program BPRS
customers are offered three products,
Access Clean Water (a water tank),
Sanitation (bathroom, toilet and
sanitation) and the Nazava (water filter).
This finance program is part of the
implementation of the cooperative
agreement between BPRS and Water.org
for its WaterCredit program that was
signed in April 2016. The total grant given
was US$ 147,649. It is expected that by
March 2019, 6,000 people will have
received Sadar Bersih credit from BPRS.
(Musfarayani/Water.org Indonesia)

Media
Media Discussion and Dialog With Water.org:
The Close Connection Between Clean Water,
Sanitation and Poverty
“This discussion with Water.Org has given me
a new perspective. Usually my media is only
interested in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
(WASH) issues when they involve victims in
cases like diarrhea, floods and the water
crisis, as well as demonstrations from
Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM)
subscribers over tariff hikes. Now there is
credit for toilets, credit for water and stories
about PDAM that are different. We are
usually familiar with credit for motorcycles or
cars. I myself have never seen open
defecation (BABS) as an issue, because when
I go home to my family in the village, I will
also defecate in the garden. Even now my
family does not have a toilet. This is usual for
us in the kampong, and for me,” explained
Ira, a journalist with the Malang Pos, in East
Java, who was a participant in the “Media
Workshop and Dialog With Water.org: The
Role of the Media in Access to Safe, Clean
Water and Healthy Sanitation in Indonesia”
that was held in the middle of last May, in
Malang, East Java.
Even the location of the sites used by
residents for open defecation is not exactly
comfortable, added Ira as the discussion
deepened. Aside from being far away,
residents also have to go to the garden that is
situated on a steep slope. Luckily, no one has
fallen down the slope as a result of open
defecation.
“Actually the government has provided
assistance for public toilets in our village.
There are many, all in a row. But not one of
our residents uses them. To the point where
the buildings are neglected, filled with
undergrowth and ultimately unusable,” added
Ira.
Ira’s experience is a response to the discussion
relating to the low level of community
awareness that currently exists in Indonesia
concerning open defecation, despite the
assistance given to build several toilets. One of
the sources from the sanitary section of the
(Picture: yazid Ali)

Footprints Series | vol 01
May-July 2017
30
Leces sub-district community health center
(Puskesmas) in Probolinggo District, East
Java, Sumarti Dwi Wahyuni, explained that
the center was unable to provide assistance
and promotion to the community relating to
the significance of healthy toilets. Open
defecation was still practiced, and their views
remained closed. Opening the minds of the
community to not defecate openly was the
biggest challenge for this sanitary worker
who goes into the field seven days a week,
and directly facing the community.
Ira is not the only journalist to understand
that the WASH issue is no longer just a
matter of diarrhea, floods and protests from
PDAM subscribers over high tariffs. The
discussion and dialog presented by Water.org
provided an understanding, even a new
awareness, about the management of water
and sanitation in Indonesia, with several
sources putting forward innovation as a
solution to the problem. This includes the
Water.org program, which could become an
alternative response to the issue of
insufficient access to sanitation and clean
water for disadvantaged communities.
Adviser to the Water.org Indonesia Advocacy
Program, Ratih Hardjono, hopes the
discussion will enrich the work of journalists
by providing them with greater information
and understanding to enable them to
provide in-depth information that is clearer
and more objective. Similarly it is also
expected that the work of journalists will be
able to influence decision makers and the
concerns of the broader general public.
“The role of the media is very important
when it comes to providing an
understanding of this problem. Clean water
and poor sanitation in the community are
identified with poverty. This is both a serious
and a basic matter for the country.
Unfortunately there are not many who
understand and care about this. The media
can play a key role in advocacy of the issue to
all parties; not only to the community, but
also to decision makers,” explained Ratih, a
former senior journalist with Kompas, the
influential national daily in Indonesia.
(Picture: Ali Luthfi)
Ratih added that the media could maximize
its role as an agent of change in changing
the behavior and broadening the minds of
the public about the significance of access to
clean water and sanitation, which represents
the right of every person.
“The media is important for us in this issue.
Water.org therefore opens the dialog and
shares knowledge and experience as part of
training activities. Not only will there be
mutual dialog, but they will also be able to
approach sources that are relevant, and
which perhaps are yet to be acknowledged
as having an important role in changing the
behavior of the sanitation community. They
will also go directly into the field to see best
practice and learning, as well as see
innovation, for example, as a practical
solution. This can deepen and enhance the
critical faculties of journalists in their work,
allowing them to open the minds of all
related parties who read and watch it,”
added Ratih.
Around 60 journalists from West Java, Central
Java and East Java have now participated in
the activities with Water.org., which will be
followed by training, a writing workshop and
competition for journalists.
(Musfarayani/Water.org Indonesia)

You will never solve poverty
without solving water and sanitation.
Matt Damon, Co-Founder Water.org.
www.water.org
Water.org Indonesia office
Ratu Plaza Office Tower, Lantai 26,
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 9
Jakarta Selatan, 10270 Indonesia
Telephone : (62 21) 2751 3630
(62 21) 2751 3631
@water
Water.org
email : Indonesia@water.org Water
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