In Focus

Pak Arifin is an active 57 years old man of Tanjung Medan hamlet in Durian Daun village, one of CWS project sites in Sungai Limau sub district, Padang Pariaman district. He helped us hauling a water pump with 3.5 horse power engine, several 5 inch water pipes and some gasoline onto a well in front of a mosque.

CWS quickly showed Pak Arifin how to operate the pumps, install the pipes and steps to clean wells. The man immediately caught on the ideas and got to work. He and the rest of the villagers are farmers who used to handle similar pump to irrigate their fields.

“We have cleaned five wells as of today,” He said happily, adding that the villagers took their turns in using the pumps to clean their own wells. The process mostly took several times until the well water is no longer muddy and does not release odors.

“I used to have clear and clean water in my well. I didn’t need to filter the water. After the earthquake, the water became muddy and smelly. We had to go to nearby river to get water for drinking, washing and cooking.” Pak Win, a local villager explained. He has cleaned his well twice and now he can use it for washing, while drinking water is available from nearby pillow tank. He is looking forward to repeat cleaning his well to return to its normal condition.

CWS has added another unit of pump and another set of water pipes to speed up the well-cleaning process of 40 wells in for Tanjung Medan hamlet.

“Now that we have two pumps, I’m sure we can finish cleaning all wells in one week.” Exclaimed Pak Arifin.
Involving disaster-affected community in various post-disaster activities is the key to rekindle their spirits and restore their hopes. Both Pak Arifin and Pak Win refused to get stuck in the rut of troubles the earthquake has caused. Well-cleaning has been an activity that also provides quick income before farmers like Pak Arifin and Pak Win could return to their paddy fields.

Up to third week after the earthquake, CWS has cleaned around 73 wells in several hamlets in Sungai Limau sub district, which has enabled around 455 indivuals to access water for washing and cooking.

The villagers working hard to clean their well
(CWS Indonesia)