Change the Behaviour for an Open Defecation Free Village

The safe drinking water treatment program assisted by the Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) Air Project in Sintang District, West Kalimantan was created to increase public access to safe drinking water as well as to promote hygiene practices in Sintang District. A total of fourteen villages were assisted in this project, including one village in the Dedai sub-district.

On May 30, 2022, this village has declared free from open defecation (Open Defecation Free). Not only that, but the people of this village have also carried out the habit of washing their hands with soap, processing and securing drinks and households.

Hamir Matius, the village leader said that what has been achieved so far is not an easy matter.

“When we first entered the Air Project, we immediately received training on how to treat drinking water, which is the third pillar of STBM (Community-Based Integrated Sanitation). I was very interested in learning more about it until finally we were given a brief explanation by Wahana Visi Indonesia regarding the introduction of STBM and the basic concepts of STBM,” said Hamir.

Seeing Hamir's enthusiasm for supporting the program, WVI then coordinated with the local puskesmas to verify sanitation conditions in the community. At that time, it was found that 70 families had broken latrines, 8 families did not have latrines or went to their neighbors, and 1 family still used a cemplung latrine.

Hamir then took quick steps by holding a community meeting at the village hall. He and his residents then printed 20 latrines to be given to residents, as well as repaired damaged latrines.

Even so, Hamir admitted that he met challenges from his citizens. According to him, it is still difficult to change the behavior of residents. Villagers are still not aware of the impact of open defecation

"They don't want to take part in community service anymore, they say they can't stand the smell and smell from the leaking septic tank. Finally, the village apparatus and WVI stepped in to work on the latrine until it was finished, so this triggered all of the residents to continue their commitment," said Hamir.

Now with the declaration of Stop BABS, CTPS, and PAMMRT being achieved, Hamir hopes that cases of diarrhea and stunting in children can be eliminated from his village.

Written by: Staff of Air Project, Wahana Visi Indonesia