Kohler Asia Pacific Ltd. & World Vision International tackle water and sanitation challenges in joined effort
As a part of multi-country partnership to improve sanitation facilities, strengthen hygiene practices, and improve access to safe drinking water (Press Release)
Jakarta, Indonesia, 8 March 2019 — Kohler Asia Pacific Ltd. And World Vision International introduces a partnership as a part of Kohler Social Impact. By establishing this strategic partnership, Kohler will bring global expertise in engineering and human-centered design, expertise and products in water and sanitation, leveraging World Vision’s extensive footprint, valuable knowledge and local expertise to advance both parties’ progress towards UN SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All in local communities of Asia Pacific countries, including Indonesia.
Globally, 443 million school days are lost each year due to water related illnesses of which 272 million are due to diarrhea alone (Global Handwashing Partnership). In Indonesia, diarrhea is one of the main causes of death in children. Handwashing with soap at critical times (after using the toilet and before eating) can drastically reduce the incidence of diarrhea. School-based handwashing interventions reduce up to 54% of school absenteeism. There is a simple solution which can make a huge difference: handwashing with soap. Handwashing with soap in school is a simple, healthy habit — but one that is often ignored.
Poor access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation facilities and good hygiene practices in school poses significant challenges to child education. On average access to water in schools in Asia Pacific region is as low as 48% and 23% for sanitation (UNICEF/WHO, 2017). Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in schools supports children’s right to education, boosts school attendance and achievement, especially for girls, and improves health.
World Vision, through its Indonesian partner Wahana Visi Indonesia, and Kohler Company partner together to bring about clean water, sanitation and hygiene to five schools and kindergartens in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines (VIP) respectively. “We’ve enjoyed a strong relationship with World Vision for many years. This is a wonderful opportunity to build on this well-established partnership with a multi-sector, multi-country approach to deepen and scale our impact in the lives of children and families in Asia,” said David Kohler, CEO, Kohler Co.
Singapore-based Asia P3 Hub was seeded by World Vision to incubate and facilitate this multi-sector partnerships, addressing issues through co-created solutions. Together with Kohler Co this project develop innovative, child-friendly handwashing facilities and program for a primary school in a village of Randoria, located in the small city of Ende, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT). Ende is located on the southern part of Flores Island. Ende has a population of 60,000 residents, which actually makes it the largest city on the island.
There are five projects in the VIP countries involved two primary schools for children aged 6–12 years in NTT Province of Indonesia, SDI Niosanggo and SDK Pisatanaau. In these schools, there aren’t enough toilets, and students usually practice open defecation. Well and water pipes are broken, there are no hand-washing facilities and water is often unavailable. The lack of hygiene and sanitation significantly contributes to high instances of diarrhea and skin diseases.
From October 2018 to May 2019, the projects will build and renovate toilets, water wells, handwashing facilities; establishing operation and maintenance mechanisms and behavior change programmes. With these projects, 2,811 students will have access to and use safe drinking water, improved toilets and handwashing facilities, and participate in behaviour change programmes, improving health outcomes and school performance.
Kohler’s global partnership with World Vision began in 1996. The partnership in Asia has grown to include six countries, and the partners have worked together to further identify the needs and leverage mutual resources. “This is an example of how a trusted partnership can evolve to collaborate in new ways to improve lives. Holistic, safe water projects are being designed to provide clean water and educate communities. We appreciate this growing transformational collaboration that has benefitted thousands of people already,” said Christy Davis, Executive Director Asia P3 Hub of World Vision.
In Asia, the partnership broadened in scope in 2016 with an unlikely sharing of resources, when Kohler used its design capabilities to design the brand identity and logo for World Vision’s Asia P3 Hub, a multi sector partnership incubation hub based in Singapore. This innovative collaboration has evolved to a strategic partnership that includes: a human-centred design project bringing water to a rural community in Indonesia, and a regional, multi-sector project involving Kohler, Asia P3 Hub, World Vision, Wahana Visi Indonesia, and local government and community groups to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene to school children in three countries.
Kohler Social Impact is to create a positive social impact across underserved communities and consumers around the world through stewardship, sustainability and innovation for good. Stewardship consists of WaSH (water, sanitation and hygiene) projects, associate in action (volunteerism), Education and Arts. Sustainability focus on providing sustainable/MEF products, operation process and suppliers. Innovation for good is about incubate Kohler associates ideas, help them develop their ideas into business models so as to impact lives.
“We know that the world has lots of challenges, lots of problems. For example — three quarters of a billion people do not have access to clean water and almost 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. As a leading manufacturer of products that deliver clean water and provide sanitation solutions and services that use water and other resources, Kohler is committed to leveraging our product development and our associates’ desires to apply their expertise in order to address water, sanitation and hygiene issues that affect vulnerable populations,” David Kohler stated.
About The Project
World Vision and Kohler Company partner together to bring about clean water, sanitation and hygiene to five schools and kindergartens in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines respectively, impacting the lives of 2,811 students. The Indonesia project aims to improve access to water and sanitation facilities for children in schools aged 6–12 years in two schools in SDI Niosanggo and SDK Pisatanaau in Ende, Flores respectively. In these schools, there aren’t enough toilets, and students usually practice open defecation. Well and water pipes are broken, there are no hand-washing facilities and water is often unavailable. The lack of hygiene and sanitation significantly contributes to high instances of diarrhea and skin diseases.
About World Vision
Founded in 1950, World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities in 96 countries to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Wahana Visi Indonesia is a partner of World Vision International in Indonesia, employs more than 600 staff and works in 52 districts in 14 province such as Northern Sumatra, Jakarta, Western Java, Western Kalimantan, Central Celebes, Lesser Sunda Islands, Northern Moluccas and Papua, benefitting more than 80.000 children, their families and communities annually.
About Kohler Co.
KOHLER® was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, USA. Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies. With more than 50 manufacturing locations worldwide, KOHLER is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products; engines and power systems; cabinetry and tile; and owner/operator of two of the world’s finest five-star hospitality and golf resort destinations in Kohler, and St Andrews, Scotland. Kohler has been consistent in setting new standards in design, craftsmanship and innovation. The brand’s reputation is rife with compelling accomplishments and bold innovations that stem from a heritage centered on living on the leading edge of design and technology.
In Asia Pacific, KOHLER is active in 14 major countries and territories. More information can be found at kohlerasiapacific.com.
This press release was also published in World Vision International website.
Media Contacts:
Vina Ramitha
Bening Communication
Email: vina@bening-communication.com
Nina Pelawi
Senior Marketing Manager
Kohler Indonesia
Email: Nina.Pelawi@kohler.com
Benedictus Teguh
Senior Marketing Specialist
Kohler Indonesia
Email: Benedictus.Teguh@kohler.com
Theodora Paramita
Media Relations Executive
Wahana Visi Indonesia
Email: theodora_paramita@wvi.or.id
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