Our Habit Was Bad

Wartelus Jimane (65) and his wife, Alusia Taumbui (55) work daily as a farmer. Before Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) was present in their village, one of the villages in Asmat Regency, Wartelus's family life was irregular. They do not understand the importance of maintaining family hygiene and health, also having bad habits.

"We usually do open defecation, draw water to drink but not cooked. We live in a not good habit,” Wartelus recalled.

According to him, since WVI came and taught many things to the people in his village, he and other residents have begun to understand how to live cleaner and healthier.

"We have started to use the vacant land behind the house to make gardens. We began to be taught how to grow vegetables and how to make a simple toilet. Previously I made a toilet a little away from home for fear of smell, but after the toilet was finished we all in the house used the toilet. We feel defecation in the toilet is very good, not smelly and very safe,” the father of six children continued.

After a variety of activities carried out with WVI, now Wartelus and his family have agreed to always defecate in the toilet at home. According to him, by doing that everyone can stay safe without the need to walk far away.

"Good things we will continue to do going forward, we invite families or close neighbors to build toilets for those who do not yet have toilets, boil water before drinking so that no more sick children," he concluded.

Written by: Solfriamus Dasman, Health Officer Asmat HOPE  Wahana Visi Indonesia