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Six months ago, the remote villages of Tenganan and Sidemen in Bali faced a critical challenge: access to clean, safe drinking water. Today, thanks to our community-driven clean water initiative, over 450 people now have reliable access to purified water through locally-built filtration systems.

The Challenge

The villages of Tenganan and Sidemen, nestled in Bali’s mountainous interior, had been relying on untreated water sources for generations. While the natural springs provided water, contamination from agricultural runoff and lack of proper filtration systems led to frequent waterborne illnesses, particularly affecting children and elderly community members.

Local community leader Made Sutrisna approached EffortX Foundation through our community nomination process, highlighting the urgent need for a sustainable water solution that could be maintained by the villagers themselves.

Community-Driven Solution

Rather than imposing an external solution, our team worked closely with village elders, local engineers, and community members to design a filtration system that could be:

  • Built using locally available materials
  • Maintained by trained community members
  • Scaled to serve multiple villages
  • Environmentally sustainable

The solution combined traditional Balinese water management practices with modern filtration technology, creating a hybrid system that respected local customs while ensuring water safety.

Implementation and Results

Phase 1: Community Training (Months 1-2)

  • Trained 15 local residents in water testing and system maintenance
  • Established a community water committee
  • Set up transparent tracking of water quality metrics

Phase 2: System Construction (Months 3-4)

  • Built 3 central filtration points serving both villages
  • Installed solar-powered pumping systems
  • Created distribution networks reaching every household

Phase 3: Monitoring and Optimization (Months 5-6)

  • Weekly water quality testing by trained locals
  • Monthly system maintenance and upgrades
  • Continuous community feedback integration

Measurable Impact

The results have exceeded our initial projections:

  • 450+ people now have access to clean water
  • 85% reduction in reported waterborne illnesses
  • 100% community satisfaction in follow-up surveys
  • Zero system downtime due to effective local maintenance
  • 3 additional villages have requested similar systems

Transparency and Accountability

Every aspect of this project has been tracked and verified:

  • Total project cost: $7,500 USD
  • Cost per beneficiary: $16.67 USD
  • Funds allocation: 75% materials, 15% training, 10% monitoring
  • All transactions recorded on-chain for public verification

Community Ownership

What makes this project truly sustainable is the level of community ownership. The water committee now manages:

  • Daily system operations
  • Quality testing protocols
  • Maintenance schedules
  • Expansion planning for neighboring villages

Made Sutrisna reflects: “This isn’t just about clean water. It’s about our community taking control of our future. We now have the knowledge and tools to help other villages facing similar challenges.”

Lessons Learned

This project reinforced several key principles of effective charitable work:

  1. Community nomination ensures real need - The project addressed a genuine priority identified by locals
  2. Local involvement creates sustainability - Training residents ensures long-term success
  3. Transparency builds trust - Open tracking of funds and outcomes strengthens community relationships
  4. Scalable solutions multiply impact - Success in one area creates templates for expansion

What’s Next

Based on this success, we’re expanding the clean water program:

  • 3 new villages in Bali have been approved for similar systems
  • Training program being developed for other regions
  • Partnership opportunities with local NGOs and government agencies
  • Technology improvements based on community feedback

The Bali clean water project demonstrates that when communities drive the process and transparency guides the implementation, charitable efforts can create lasting, meaningful change.

Want to support more projects like this? Learn how to get involved with EffortX Foundation’s community-driven charitable initiatives.