Foundation offers better way of living

CIKADU, Banten, West Java (JP): There's nothing more important than living healthy. Everyone has the right to have access to clean water and enjoy a healthy life.

In many cases, many people do not know how to live healthily. That's where outsiders can offer help and support, just as the South Bantenese Development Foundation does here.

Since its presence in Cikadu Kampong, Tanjungjaya village, Panimbang regency, Banten, West Java, it has helped 2,000 people to enjoy living healthily.

Physician Soesilo Soerjosembodo of the foundation said that improvements are comprehensively underway. "The rate of intestinal diseases like diarrhea have been pushed to their lowest levels," he said, adding most of the community now practiced hygiene.

A clinic operating in Cikadu now serves people from other kampongs as well, he said. "However, it is too small, we can't accommodate 50 patients every day."

The foundation also helps in socioeconomic areas. In one case, Eli Suhayah, a teacher at the elementary school here, was awarded financial aid to run a homestay.

"It's been my dream to have additional income. The foundation gave me financial aid to construct a homestay with two rooms. Luckily the rooms are always occupied," she said, adding that she had adequate time in which to repay the aid.

She said that there were seven people in the kampong who won same aid.

"I like to meet with the people who rent the rooms. I can chat with them and increase my knowledge," she said, adding that most of the guests were the employees of a private company developing a tourist project near the kampong. (icn)