14 January 2025
On Monday morning, January 13, 2025, the front yard of the Kawasi Village Head’s office was filled with dozens of residents. Rows of colorful plastic jerrycans filled the dusty ground. The empty jerry cans were lined up neatly as if reflecting the hopes of their owners, who patiently queued for their turn.
In another corner, several women sat in a group, fanning their faces with their hands while engaging in small conversation to pass the time. Children played happily nearby, undeterred by the long queue ahead. Among the waiting crowd, Solvina Bungajari stood holding tightly to her worn jerrycan. “Today, we are very grateful. Finally, we can get kerosene again,” she said.
Since the Christmas and New Year holidays, Kawasi Village has been experiencing a shortage of kerosene, which led to a significant price spike. As a result, many residents have been forced to cut back on their consumption and explore alternative options, such as using firewood for cooking.
However, switching to firewood is not an ideal solution. It slows the cooking process and requires extra attention as the fire is often unstable. This situation underscores the critical and irreplaceable role that kerosene continues to play as an essential need for most families in Kawasi Village.
In response to the situation, Harita Nickel has provided 8,700 liters of kerosene to the residents of Kawasi Village. Each household received up to 20 liters of kerosene as part of this assistance initiative.
Frans Datang, Secretary of Kawasi Village, expressed his deep appreciation for this support. “We are very grateful to Harita Nickel. This support is invaluable, especially when the community is struggling with the kerosene shortage,” he said.
During the distribution process, John Simbolon, Community Relations Superintendent at Harita Nickel, was seen monitoring the distribution process. “We fully understand how important kerosene is for the community here. This assistance is part of our effort to ease their burden,” John said. He also emphasized that this was not a one-time action. “As part of the community, we feel a strong responsibility to provide support. We remain committed to enhancing the well-being of Kawasi Village, not only through emergency assistance but also through other sustainable programs,” he added.
For residents, especially those who are also housewives, like Marlin Nanlessy, the support provided by Harita Nickel is deeply appreciated. “We are grateful to Harita for their care and understanding of the community’s needs. Harita recognizes the difficulties we’ve been facing with the kerosene shortage,” said Marlin. Her words reflected genuine appreciation, particularly when she added, “Even though we have not yet relocated to the new Kawasi Village, we continue to receive support.”
The kerosene distribution created a positive and supportive atmosphere among the community. Residents engaged in light conversation while awaiting their turn, with occasional laughter as children played nearby.
As the sun rose, the line began to thin. The jerrycans, once empty, were now filled with kerosene and ready to be taken home. One by one, the residents began to leave the village office yard, some smiling while carrying their heavy, filled jerrycans.
Although the kerosene shortage has not yet been fully resolved, the distribution on that day provided significant relief to many residents. For the time being, their essential fuel needs have been met.
This initiative underscores the meaningful impact of corporate responsibility. A small initiative like this can offer new hope to residents who are struggling through difficult times. Harita Nickel has once again reaffirmed its commitment to being part of the solution, bringing hope to the community.
This initiative aligns with Harita’s core values, such as Respect for Every Individual and Teamwork. As members of the Harita team, how do you plan to make a positive impact on the communities around us this year?
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