Henkel Indonesia helps improve the living conditions of community in Tegalsari

Together with the people of Tegalsari, Henkel employees revived the spirit of communal work ‏(gotong royong) in the densely populated village ‏(kampung). They worked hand in hand to paint and build two houses and install 13 septic tanks.

“We are not only building homes but also empowering the people in Tegalsari to improve their lives,” said Mashuri, Plant Manager of Henkel Indonesia in Pasuruan. “With this volunteering program, Henkel is helping to improve the living conditions of our local communities. It is also a good team-building opportunity for our employees.”

The outreach program is supported by Henkel’s ‘Make an Impact on Tomorrow’ initiative, under which Henkel supports its employees and retirees in their social volunteering activities in the communities. Similar programs are also implemented in other countries by Henkel and Habitat for Humanity.

This is Henkel Indonesia’s second collaboration with Habitat for Humanity in urban housing improvement project. In 2014, Henkel employees built homes and improved water sanitation for the people of Tanjung Anom Village in Tangerang.

Figria Salmon, Resource Development Officer of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, said that rapid urbanization has put pressure on the efforts to provide decent housing in big cities, including in Surabaya. The Tegalsari neighborhood is an example of the urbanization’s impact as the density of the sub-district has reached 27,311 people per square kilometer or more than triple of the average density of Surabaya City.

“Poor families that do not live in decent houses are prone to health issues and their school-age children are in dire lack of space to study,” said Figria Salmon. “It is important for the private sector to join in efforts that contribute towards sustainable human development through community empowerment that can ensure that people live with dignity in the rapidly changing and urbanizing world.”