Accompanying low income groups to have access to clean water supply: a case study of Sukamaju Village, Sukamulya sub-district, Garut District, West Java

Abstract

The inhabitants of Kampung Sukamadju, Desa Sukajaya has already established a village health forum. However, this small village is very isolated due to the bad quality of its physical structure which includes bad roads especially during the rainy season. Efforts have been implemented in the past but many of the inhabitants do not have access to clean water supply. Through this community engagement service, an assessment was conducted in regards to issues related to clean water supply and maternal and child health. Results of the assessment found that the group of women and children and community leaders expressed needed steady supply of clean water. Based on the assessment, relevant training and communication materials were developed. In addition, the village health forum members were guided to document a proposal that was relevant to their needs. The village head forum was also put in touch with an NGO network to actively plan and monitor the local district budget (APBD). From these steps, the local community now has access to clean water supply as well as interpersonal communication skills to actively consult the local legislative body. Challenges in this programme was mainly to establish partnerships with stakeholders involved and to secure support for the closed monitoring of the written proposal for the community. However, this was overcome by establishing a network of strong local civil society organization.