On June 26, 2018, the USAID delegation, led by Elizabeth Chambers–the Office of Financial Management (OFM)/Controller, and USAID IUWASH PLUS team conducted a one-day visit to Serdang Kulon village in Tangerang to obtain a close picture of the collaborative works between USAID IUWASH PLUS and Tangerang district’s SERASI (Seribu Sarana Sanitasi) program in sanitation, as well as to gain insights from the field for the program improvement. The visit received very warm welcome from the local partners such as the Tangerang District Health Office, Regional Planning Agency, and the Head of Panongan Sub-District, community leaders, and community members.
During the opening ceremony, Head of Serdang Kulon village, Sukarna, explained the improvement in sanitation facilities made by the District Health Office with the supports from USAID IUWASH PLUS and SERASI program. Examples of the improvement included the construction of 1,000 toilets for low-income family under SERASI program, and the construction of septic tanks for 28 houses in RT 13, RW 6 by the sanitation entrepreneurs trained by USAID IUWASH PLUS.
“Serdang Kulon village was dirty, open-defecation was commonly practiced by the community members. Now, the situation is different. The people have their own sanitation facilities, which are built either using their own money, collective savings, credits, or constructed by the governments,” Sukarna explained the positive changes in the village.
Following the ceremony, the delegation visited the improved sanitation facilities and met with several beneficiaries and talked to them about the sanitation program. “I am happy with the sanitation team who helped me build a septic tank. I used to have one but it was broken. I also teach my child to use the toilet,” said Siti Rohanah, one of the beneficiaries.
Before ending the visit, the USAID delegation had a discussion with the representatives of Tangerang District Health Office and Sanitation Entrepreneurs on their programs and future plans.
Following this visit, USAID IUWASH PLUS will continue its works to assist more community members gain access to safely-managed sanitation in this village.
