Marianus and the Polluted Water in His Village

#WorldWaterDay - Walking 45 minutes in order to fetch water is not new for Marianus (13), a child from Ende regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The fact that there is a lack of clean water problem in his village makes Marianus and his friends need to travel through the woods and a river just to fill a single jerry can with water for their family. Marianus said that in the past, the water in the river was very clear, but now it is polluted with animal waste.

“We usually take water twice a day which is enough for our daily need to drink, cook, and shower. Before going to school, we wake up earlier to walk and carry water with our jerry can.. in the afternoon, we normally use a flashlight to light the path," said Marianus.

The people in the village often throw animal waste including cattle carcasses in the river which worsens the water condition. However, the spring that is located exceptionally far from the village forced the people including Marianus and his family, to continue using the polluted water from the river to drink, wash, and for other purposes.

“In summer, we often face water scarcity problem, and we are forced to collect water from the reservoir which also commonly used by animals. Other than that, we often create a small hole on the edge of a brook, so we can collect water to drink. When we take the water from that hole, we need to do it carefully so we won’t get dirty water. In the rainy season, we often use the rainwater to drink and shower” uttered that 7th-grade student.

Marianus continues to mention that there are people who defecate just anywhere other than the toilet because it is hard to find clean water. He also knows that there are people who throw their garbage haphazardly which makes it harder to keep the environment clean. As a result, diarrhea and skin diseases seem to be pretty common in this area.

Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) sees this as a serious problem. The poor condition of the environment makes the people, especially kids, unable to enjoy a more proper and healthier lifestyle. WVI has begun to teach the people in the village to start a new healthy and hygienic way of living. This teaching is hoped to minimize chronic diseases in the life of the people in this village.

This assistance program still continues to this day. The paramedics have also been helping WVI with this issue. This serious condition keeps WVI persisting in finding donors to build water pipes, in order to provide clean water to this neighborhood.

Marianus’ story is only one among many other kids who are facing a water scarcity problem in a rural area of Indonesia. By cherishing the access to water you have today, you can actually help people like Marianus have hope for easier access to clean water one day. Have you done that today?
 

Written by: Putri ianne Barus, Communications Officer and Staff of Ende Program Area Wahana Visi Indonesia