Bu Yeni’s Struggle to Get Clean Water

“During dry season, it is difficult to find clean water and it is the only spring here,” said Mrs. Yeni, holding her breath while holding a jerrycan filled with water.

Mrs. Yeni is one of many residents who are affected by drought and find it difficult to get clean water in Kulon Progo, Jogjakarta. Every two days, the woman born in 1979 has to walk one kilometer. This is done to meet the needs of clean water for her and her family. She hasnto get clean water from a water source under a hill. She must carry a jerrycan full of water while walking on an uphill to return to her home.

Bu Yeni’s Struggle to Get Clean Water

She always go fetch water in the morning and evening. She leaves her home around 7 in the morning, and at 5 in the afternoon. The water is used for daily needs such as for toilets and kitchen needs. Even though it is difficult, she has to do it because there is no longer a nearby water source that they could use. In fact, the middle-aged woman admitted that she had difficulties and objected to continuing to carry 20 kg of water every two days.

Everyone usually takes 60-liters of water in one day. While the capacity of the jerrycan so far can fit up to approximately 25 liters. This water will be used for the needs of 4 people who live in the house.

Mrs. Yeni told me that in the past there was not even lighting around the water source, recently after submitting a request to the government they finally received lighting assistance in the form of a lamp on the side of the road (at the turn).

This original spring has been around for a long time. The water comes from the seep of the large trees around it. These trees are Preh Banyan (Ficus retusa) whose leaves grow like shrubs with evergreen leaves.

In the past, there were four water sources that people used to use. As a result of the road construction, two of the four springs were flooded so they were buried and could no longer get clean water from there. Currently, only two water sources are functioning. One of them is useful for cooking, bathing, and drinking needs while the other can only be used for washing and washing needs.

Initiator Friends, of course, Mrs. Yeni’s struggle to get clean water for daily needs is not easy. Together with Human Initiative, let’s ease Mrs. Yeni’s burden by donating to Solusi Peduli. We are waiting for your best contribution.