SOUTHEAST SULAWESI — Dompet Dhuafa Southeast Sulawesi built a drilled well in the midst of the community of Punggolaka Village, Puuwatu District, Kendari City. On Sunday (2/10/2022) Dompet Dhuafa held the inauguration of the use of drilled wells as one of the Water for Life or Air Untuk Kehidupan (AUK) programs for the people of Punggolaka.
The inauguration was attended directly by Dompet Dhuafa Southeast Sulawesi Branch Leader Hassan Afif and Dompet Dhuafa Culture & Education GM Herman Budianto. It was also attended by local community leaders, he is Ustadz Hakim. Approximately 30 local residents were also there along with several volunteers of the Kendari Mengajar Movement Community who were on duty there at that time.
The event started with a brief tausiyah by Ustadz Hakim, followed by an opening and remarks by each of the parties involved. After that, the symbolization of AUK inauguration was carried out which was marked by a ribbon cutting, followed by the opening of the inaugural water tap.
Hassan Afif said in his speech, Dompet Dhuafa helped build a drilled well along with a water reservoir in a well depth of 70-80 meters. Meanwhile, the water reservoir crane has a capacity of 1,200 liters. By this capacity, the procurement of the AUK program can be used by 200 heads of families around the well.
“This drilled well is equipped with a water reservoir of 1,200 liters. By this capacity, the well can be used by 200 heads of families,” he said.
The construction of this drilled well is set because the residents of Punggolaka have difficulty finding and digging springs to get clean water. In addition, Puuwatu Village is also often hit by drought during the dry season. To get clean water suitable for use, when it rains, residents often receive rainwater. In fact, even rainwater is not necessarily clean and suitable for daily use.
Another alternative is residents must buy clean water at a price of IDR 50,000 (fifty thousand rupiah) which is filled into a small crane to be used for 4-5 days. So in one month, every one household must spend around IDR 200,000 (two hundred thousand rupiah) for clean water. It is not yet mineral water for drinking and daily cooking. For mineral water, every one gallon is priced at IDR 5,000 – IDR 7,000 which will usually run out in 2-3 days.
“Alhamdulillah, we are very happy with the construction of this water program, now we easily get clean water,” said Amir Salam (27), one of the residents of Puuwatu Village.
Dompet Dhuafa Culture & Education GM Herman Budianto said, Water for Life or Air Untuk Kehidupan (AUK) is a program initiated by Dompet Dhuafa to provide clean water in remote parts of the country that are experiencing a clean water crisis. One of them is in Punggolaka Village, Puuwatu District, Kendari City. Here, AUK is a form of concern and kindness for Dompet Dhuafa donors.
“Please ladies and gentlemen make the best use of this water. Furthermore, we entrust it to the residents of Punggolaka for its management and maintenance. We hope that this well will continue to last or even grow” he said.
Next, residents will be in discussion to schedule the well’s maintenance . Residents also hope that this well will last for many years to come. (Dompet Dhuafa / Muthohar)