Clean Water for Merlung Students

Walter Sitorus is the Headmaster of SDN 51/V, Merlung, Riau. Not too long ago, his school faced a rather difficult situation. The school’s restroom did not function properly because there was no water. “At that time, only teachers could use the restroom. And we had to take water from a house nearby. We realized that we could not continue to do this as the students also need to use the facilities,” Walter said.

Since the school was located near the operational area of Asian Agri, Walter sent a proposal to the company so the school could have better access to clean water.

As part of its community development program, Asian Agri works in partnership with Tanoto Foundation to improve access of rural communities to clean water. The program is open for communities at village level or for schools operating in the village.

In response to a proposal from a local school, SDN 51/V, Merlung, Jambi province, Asian Agri donated a drilling well, a 1,000 liter water container, water pump, and water installation system. Tanoto Foundation trained the teachers on how to manage and maintain the clean water facility.

“Now over two hundred students and teachers have easy and continuous access to clean water, “Walter Sitorus explained happily to Tanoto Foundation.

Since the children now are able to wash their hands and use clean bathrooms regularly, they now face reduced hygiene-related health risks. The clean water program contributes to the overall effort to create a safe and comfortable environment for students to study in.