Alleviating Drought in Guprak Warak Hamlet through Waqf Well

ACTNews, BOYOLALI - On average, residents in Gupak Warak Hamlet, Dologan Village, Karanggede District, Boyolali Regency already have MCK facilities and infrastructure. So getting clean water is not a problem for residents in this hamlet.

But it is a different story in the long dry season. The water in their wells is dry. As a substitute for this season, they take advantage of several wells in the hamlet. Although not all residents can enjoy water from this drilled well because the water discharge is limited.

"Clean water is not available during the dry season in Gupak Warak Hamlet because all the wells do not release water. In the dry season, residents depend on borehole wells for which water is still available, however, not all residents can access it due to limited water discharge. Usually, they only rely on the distribution of clean water from donors, ”said Ardiyan Sapto from the Solo Rapid Response Program (ACT) Team.

This drought is suspected because geologically, Guprak Warak Hamlet is in a fault area, where the character of the soil is formed from clay and rocks. So that in this area can only rely on rainwater. This condition also has an impact on the fields of the community, the majority of whom work as agricultural laborers.

One of the plantations owned by the local community. (ACTNews)

"In general, the soil or wells always release water during the rainy season but, during the dry season, almost all the wells and rivers dry up. There are only a few privately owned drilled wells and that is only enough for families in their own homes. Thus, the availability of groundwater in this rocky area throughout the year cannot be fulfilled. Every dry season there is always a drought. And that has an impact on the crops that can be planted by the residents there,” explained Ardiyan.

Even though during the rainy season, their income is still not sufficient. From working on the land, they earn around Rp1 million per month. "The average income of the community is approximately Rp1.1 million - Rp1.3 million per month. They usually wait for the harvest from corn. Within 3-4 months, we only get an income of around Rp. 3.5 million - Rp. 4.5 million, "said Ardiyan.

Global Wakaf - ACT distributed the mandate of CIMB Niaga Syariah Bank in the form of a Waqf Well unit as a solution to this problem. The well, which was built in early February 2020, can be used since Monday (31/8).

"We built the Waqf well at the Baiturrahman Musala, Gupak Warak Hamlet so that it can be used both for daily needs and for the needs of the Musala congregation. There are 120 heads of families around the hamlet that we are targeting to be the beneficiaries of this well, "said Ardiyan.

Ngateno, one of the residents, thanked various parties who had presented the Waqf Well in Gupak Warak Hamlet. "Even though our hamlet does not have a large water source, at least with this additional Waqf Well there is a water source that can be used by our residents, which in every dry season we always lack clean water. Even have to rely on dropping clean water every day. Once again, we, the residents of Gupak Warak Hamlet, would like to say thank you, "he said.

Ardiyan hopes that more and more endowerss can participate in the construction of the Waqf Well. "We will continue our efforts to provide clean water in various regions, so we invite generous waqf endowers to accompany our struggle. The best waqf can be distributed through the Dermawan Indonesia website or  BNI Syariah account number 66 0000 9779 in the name of the Global Wakaf Foundation," asked Ardiyan. []