Tanoto Foundation, working in partnership with APRIL, recently conducted training for health cadres in Gunung Sari Village, Riau.

Tanoto Foundation held this training at health clinic in Gunung Sahilan II as part of its routine activities to assist the local community. M. Daim, Community Development Officer of APRIL, said that such activity is the realization of Tanoto Foundation’s and APRIL’s sincere care for community well being. “In addition to the training activities, we also provided food packages for the communities and services such as circumcision for disadvantaged families,” he explained.

The community response was positive. They found the assistance very useful. Nurul, one of the locals expressed his gratitude to Tanoto Foundation and APRIL.

“Thanks to Tanoto Foundation and APRIL for their support. In addition to receiving health program assistance, our areas received support in infrastructure development and scholarships for our children.” Nurul said.

Head of Health Clinic at Gunung Sahilan, dr. Fiska was also supportive of this activity. She hoped that the cadre training sessions can be continued in order to improve the health of children in this village in the long run.

“The training is very important for health clinic cadres to support the well being of the next generation in this area. With the support from Tanoto Foundation and APRIL, this health clinic is ours. It is from us, by us, and for us. So, we need to work together to manage this clinic so all of us can be healthy,” said dr. Fiska.

Walter Sitorus is the Headmaster of SDN 51/V, Merlung, Riau. Not too long ago, his school faced a rather difficult situation. The school’s restroom did not function properly because there was no water. “At that time, only teachers could use the restroom. And we had to take water from a house nearby. We realized that we could not continue to do this as the students also need to use the facilities,” Walter said.

Since the school was located near the operational area of Asian Agri, Walter sent a proposal to the company so the school could have better access to clean water.

As part of its community development program, Asian Agri works in partnership with Tanoto Foundation to improve access of rural communities to clean water. The program is open for communities at village level or for schools operating in the village.

In response to a proposal from a local school, SDN 51/V, Merlung, Jambi province, Asian Agri donated a drilling well, a 1,000 liter water container, water pump, and water installation system. Tanoto Foundation trained the teachers on how to manage and maintain the clean water facility.

“Now over two hundred students and teachers have easy and continuous access to clean water, “Walter Sitorus explained happily to Tanoto Foundation.

Since the children now are able to wash their hands and use clean bathrooms regularly, they now face reduced hygiene-related health risks. The clean water program contributes to the overall effort to create a safe and comfortable environment for students to study in.

Tanoto Foundation in cooperation with one of its corporate partners, PT. Riau Andalan Pulp And Paper (PT. RAPP,) recently conducted training for health cadres in Gunung Sari Village, Riau.

Tanoto Foundation held this training at health clinic in Gunung Sahilan II as part of its routine activities to assist people who live around the operational areas of PT. RAPP. M. Daim, Community Development Officer Estate of PT. RAPP, said that such activity is the realization of Tanoto Foundation’s and PT. RAPP’s concern for community well being. “In addition to the training activities, we also provided food packages for the communities and services such as circumcision for disadvantaged families,” he explained.

The community response was positive.  They found the assistance very useful. Nurul, one of the locals expressed his gratitude to Tanoto Foundation and PT. RAPP for the institutions’ attention and activities for the Gunung Sari Village community members.

“Thanks to Tanoto Foundation and PT. RAPP for their support. In addition to receiving health program assistance, our areas received support in infrastructure development and scholarships for our children.”  Nurul said.

Head of Health Clinic at Gunung Sahilan, dr Fiska was also supportive of this activity. She hoped that the cadre training sessions can be continued in order to improve the health of children in this village in the long run.

“The training is very important for health cadres to support the well being of the next generation in this area. With the support from Tanoto Foundation and PT. RAPP, this health clinic is ours. It is from us, by us, and for us. So, we need to work together to manage this clinic so all of us can be healthy,” said dr. Fiska.

Activities such as providing health services are part of Tanoto Foundation and PT RAPP efforts to enhance the quality of lives of communities members in North Sumatera, Jambi, and Riau.