SUMBA, NTT — Dompet Dhuafa through Cuma-Cuma Health Services (LKC) East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) inaugurated the “Independent Cluster ” collaboration program initiated with Matahari (PT Matahari Department Store, Tbk) on Thursday (3/8/2023), in Katewel Hamlet, Letekonda Village, Loura District, Southwest Sumba Regency, NTT.
The Mandiri Cluster Program is a form of distribution of Matahari Department Store customer donation program that has been collected since Ramadan 2022. In this activity, clean water facilities through drilled wells and Healthy Mother Child and Youth Posts were inaugurated which focus on improving the health of mothers and toddlers (Nutrition Post), school children (Healthy Indonesian Children), and adolescents (Youth Posyandu).
Umi Kalsum, Head of LKC Dompet Dhuafa NTT, said that the plan to procure clean water had been in place since the end of 2022, and was finally realized in March 2023. Umi Kalsum also emphasized that the supply of clean water will encourage a healthier lifestyle in Katewel Hamlet.
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“Alhamdulillah, this was successfully completed in July 2023. The strong collaboration between Dompet Dhuafa and Matahari is able to realize our vision to provide access to clean water for the residents of Katewel Hamlet. The existence of access to clean water is also expected to open up new opportunities for the community. They can develop agriculture by planting various types of vegetables, forming productive beds, which can support efforts to improve food security in Katewel Hamlet,” said Umi Kalsum.
Katewel Hamlet, located at the end close to the sea, has faced serious challenges over the past five years due to a lack of clean water supply. The limited supply of fresh water in Katewel has led to various health problems in the area. As a result, locals have to buy tank water 1-2 times at a cost of IDR 100-150 thousand for daily use. Others even have to use the coastal river water for washing and bathing.
During the rainy season, residents collect rainwater in catch basins in their homes. The nearest freshwater source is about 2.5-3 kilometers from the area. Therefore, to bring water to the site, a pipeline system and a booster engine are additional needs. The partnership with Matahari supports the need for the pipeline and the booster machine.
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In addition to the lack of clean water, there are also various health problems that need to be addressed, such as distant access to health facilities, stunting rates that exceed 20%, lack of coverage of pregnancy checks, and childbirth at home.
One of the steps taken by Dompet Dhuafa and Matahari is to bring health services closer by utilizing existing facilities in the area. Existing facilities will be renovated to suit the needs of health services for mothers, children, and adolescents. Later, the updated facilities will be used for pregnancy checks, adolescent posyandu, and toddler posyandu.
The realization of clean water supply and renovation of the healthy post for mothers and children is the hope of all parties, especially the community. Activities at the Healthy Post include health education, health screening, assistance for pregnant and lactating mothers, assistance for malnourished children, assistance for adolescents and provision of additional food to families, so that the handling of children’s nutritional status can be done optimally.
Sifing Lestari, a representative of Dompet Dhuafa’s Health Division, revealed that this program is part of a larger effort by Dompet Dhuafa to improve public health. Since 2021, Dompet Dhuafa has been active in building sanitation facilities, including the construction of 49 WC units, as well as establishing School Health Units (UKS) at Katewel Elementary School and Katura Elementary School. They also established an Integrated Service Post (Posyandu) at SMAN 1 Loura and a Reading Park for the local community.
“In addition to the contribution of providing clean water, Dompet Dhuafa and Matahari also renovated the Maternal and Child Health Post which will be used as a posyandu for toddlers, contributing to efforts to overcome the problem of stunting in Letekonda Village,” he explained.
Through this activity, Katewel Hamlet can experience significant changes in terms of health and community welfare. The close cooperation between Dompet Dhuafa and Matahari has proven their important role in advancing this region by providing access to clean water and better health facilities.
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In addition to Letekonda Village, the Independent Cluster is also present in Rannaloe Village, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, with health and education programs such as the School Assistance Program, improving the health of mothers and toddlers (Nutrition Post), school children (Healthy Indonesian Children), and adolescents (Youth Posyandu). (Dompet Dhuafa/Anndini)