Gentong Mas Santun: A Solution for Basic Sanitation Facilities in Swampy Residential Areas

Ratu (6 years old) said, “Before we had a toilet at home, I used to go to the toilet in the river or in an open latrine built over the river. I felt very uncomfortable because I had to walk to the river, especially at night when I had to carry a torch and I didn't feel safe.”

Ratu's mother, Juliana (24), along with other residents, are part of a community supported by WVI (World Vision Indonesia) in the Sekadau Hilir sub-district, West Kalimantan. Their homes are located along the riverbanks, and many still practise open defecation in the river.

In response to this situation, the WVI Sekadau Area Programme initiated the construction of a safe waste disposal system using appropriate technology called Gentong Mas Santun (GMS), which stands for Gerakan Tolong Masyarakat Sanitasi Tuntas (Community Assistance Movement for Complete Sanitation). GMS is a model of a healthy toilet typically used in river or swamp areas—usually for stilt houses surrounding swamps.

Not only did they receive aid for healthy toilets through appropriate technology like GMS, but they also received intensive guidance on changing their behaviour towards clean and healthy living. Currently, all residents are free from Open Defecation (OD) because everyone now practises healthy habits. The open latrines that were previously built on the riverbanks were also dismantled upon the community's own initiative, including Ratu's parents.

“Now it’s no longer a hassle every time we need to go to the toilet. Our health is improving, and the children rarely get diarrhoea now,” said Juliana (24).

Author: Gisela Nappoe