With the Support of TOTO Water Environment Fund, Water Environment Improvement Activities are underway in Indonesia

   In Indonesia which has a large population, the disappearance of important coastal zones that support the country’s economy has become a serious problem in recent years. The damage is the largest on Java Island, where more than 50% of the total population lives, and especially those living along the coast of Demak Regency in Central Java are considered to be the biggest victims of coastal erosion.

   Coastal areas such as Bedono and Timbulsloko Villages, where OISCA operates, frequently encounter a local flood called Rob, phenomenon in which seawater invades inland areas as sea levels rise at high tide. Even schools participating in the Children’s Forest Program in the coastal area suffered serious damage, for example, Timbulsloko No. 1 elementary school, seawater flows in at high tide almost every day, and at high tide, flood damage occurs even in the classroom of the right-side school building which is not raised.  In addition, the school has only one existing toilet for teachers and one for children, which is not enough for the school’s 138 children. Moreover, there is no hand-washing area in the school, and as the infection of COVID-19 continues to spread, there are also hygiene problems.

  For these plights in order to reduce the effects of floods and create an environment where children can concentrate on their studies with peace of mind, with the grant of the TOTO Water Environment Fund, we have decided to provide the support such as raising the school building, reclaiming the school yard and constructing toilets.

   From June and July, the schoolyard where sea water has accumulated, was filled with earth and sand at a height of 50-80 cm, while the floor of the north building (3 class rooms for lower grade children, staff room and terrace) were raised by 10 cm and tiled. During the construction period, the parents of the children also took turns to participate the labor service every day and worked hard on the leveling work.

  The parents who participated the word said, “We have also donated for the school to reclaim the schoolyard, but the household budget was very difficult. This support is financially very helpful.” Many voices of joy and gratitude were heard. Currently, we are constructing toilets and hand-washing facilities. In Demak Regency, as of August, face-to-face lessons have been resumed after limiting the number of students. The children of Timbulsloko No. 1 Elementary School must be overjoyed at this new situation.