Towards an Open Defecation-Free District

The government of Nanga Taman district, Sekadau Regency has declared one of their villages as a village that no longer practices open defecation. From a total of 13 villages, nine villages are free of open defecation. This was achieved because of the collaboration between Wahana Visi Indonesia Area Program Sekadau and the government which continues to promote the Community-Based Total Sanitation (CBTS) program.

The CBTS program in the Nanga Taman district cannot develop if Heri (54 years old) is not involved. Heri is one of the staff in the Nanga Taman district who is also the driver of the CBTS program. Heri said that before the CBTS program started, the diarrhea disease rate could reach 60-70 percent. However, currently, only 1 percent remains.

One of the initial steps taken by this district was to form a district Task Force for the CBTS program. This task force involves various stakeholders such as village heads, hamlet heads, RT, and PKK in each village.

In the first year, the CBTS Task Force was formed, the Nanga Taman district only managed to produce one open defecation-free village. The increase in toilet ownership has also changed, from the initial 33 percent to 91.05 percent.

“The toughest challenge is changing people's behavior to be able to live a healthy life. Many people are stubborn, they feel better defecating in the river than in the toilet," said Heri.

However, these challenges did not make Heri and the government give up. They continue to do triggers in the community, discussing the importance of health.

“I always tell people that health is beautiful. If we are sick, we can't do anything, instead, we spend a lot of money for treatment,” added the man who has also received an award from the Sekadau Regent for his dedication.

Heri is very famous for diligently going to serve the village. Not only providing triggers (socialization) in the village, he also often helps the community to make holes for making toilets. Even though he is no longer young, his spirit is very passionate.

"I have a principle that if I have to set an example not only in words, I also do it in the field by setting an example so that people can see that my words and actions are consistent," said the man who is often called Mr. CBTS

Heri hopes that what he has done with the government and WVI can continue.

“I hope that villages that are free of open defecation can take care of their toilets and use the toilets well. And for villages that haven't, continue to trigger the community, so that Nanga Taman Subdistrict can be open defecation free this year," he concluded.

Written by: Herna Sinulingga, TP Coordinator of Sekadau Area Program, Wahana Visi Indonesia