ParagonCorp Wardah, in collaboration with Komodo Water, has launched the “Langkah Alirkan Harapan” (Flow Hope), a program under the Clean Water Initiative aimed at providing clean water access for communities in two villages in East Nusa Tenggara: Poco Dedeng Village, in Lempe Hamlet, and Wae Tulu, Manggarai Barat Regency. The program was officially inaugurated on 28 November 2025, marking a shared commitment to addressing the fundamental need for clean water, a long-standing challenge in the region.
According to an assessment conducted by Komodo Water, an organization focused on providing and managing sustainable clean water access through appropriate technology solutions, residents of Lempe and Wae Tulu previously had to spend 4–6 hours per day walking through dangerous terrain, including steep climbs and descents, rocky and slippery paths, and cliff edges, just to obtain clean water. This condition placed a heavy burden on women and children, increased the risk of stunting, and disrupted learning activities, as children often took turns fetching water and even had to bring water to school, causing significant delays to their study hours. These findings highlight the urgent need for cleaner, safer, and more accessible water sources for the community.
Recognizing the urgency of clean water access in West Manggarai Regency, ParagonCorp Wardah, together with Komodo Water, built a water supply system consisting of storage tanks, solar-powered water pumps, and a piped network that utilizes gravity. This technology was implemented to ensure an energy-efficient system that is environmentally friendly and easily managed by the community. With multiple water access points placed in residential areas and public facilities, such as prayer rooms, churches, health posts, and schools, the new infrastructure is expected to support local economic potential and create opportunities for women in both villages to take part in managing water contributions and maintaining the newly built facilities.
This new infrastructure is expected to have a positive impact on more than 180 households (790 people) in Lempe Village and more than 120 households (465 people) in Wae Tulu Village. Beyond meeting basic needs, closer access to water also has the potential to improve community welfare through economic activities. In Lempe, for example, candlenut, its main livelihood, producing up to 100 tons per year, can now be processed more easily, improving its quality and market value. A similar impact is expected in Wae Tulu, where better water availability can support increased cashew nut production.
Cross-Sector Collaboration for Sustainable Solutions
The inauguration of ParagonCorp Wardah’s Clean Water Initiative in Lempe was attended directly by Retno Marsudi, UN Secretary-General Special Envoy on Water; Dr. Sari Chairunnisa, Sp.KK, FINSDV, Deputy CEO of ParagonCorp; Aloisius Lahi, representative of the West Manggarai Regency Government; Shana Fatina, Founder and CEO of Komodo Water; Y.W. Junardy, President of the Indonesia Global Compact Network (IGCN); as well as village heads and community representatives from Lempe and Wae Tulu. The presence of these various stakeholders demonstrates how collaboration among government, the private sector, and local communities can create an ecosystem for sustainable change.
In her capacity as the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy on Water, Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing the global water crisis and welcomed the concrete steps taken by ParagonCorp Wardah in Lempe and Wae Tulu, carried out in collaboration with Komodo Water. She highlighted that the availability of clean water access in these two villages has a significance far beyond infrastructure development, as it supports the community in achieving a better quality of life and helps realize the aspirations of future generations, the nation’s future leaders.
“I have witnessed firsthand how water is a critical issue, a global issue, a humanitarian issue, and ultimately, a human rights issue. In many international forums, I always emphasize one point: without water, none of the sustainable development goals can be achieved. Water is the gateway to health, education, security, and progress. I have seen in many countries how water crises can trigger tension and conflict. But in Lempe and Wae Tulu, I see something different. Here, water has become a source of unity. Water has become a meeting point for communities, government, the private sector, and local organizations to move together and create a real ecosystem of change,” Marsudi stated.
ParagonCorp’s Long-Term Commitment
For ParagonCorp Wardah, this program is a tangible reflection of the value of beneficial impact, which has been part of the company’s DNA for 40 years, as well as a commitment to continuously deliver meaningful and relevant positive contributions to more than 1,200 people in East Nusa Tenggara. Through this initiative, ParagonCorp Wardah hopes to be closer to communities in need and provide solutions that not only address today’s challenges but also open opportunities for a better future.
ParagonCorp Deputy CEO, Dr. Sari Chairunnisa, Sp.KK, FINSDV, emphasized, “As a company and brand that upholds values of goodness and beneficial impact, ParagonCorp Wardah believes that access to clean water is the first step toward a decent and improved quality of life. That is why our focus today is to ensure that the people of Lempe and Wae Tulu can enjoy clean water that is accessible every day. Moving forward, once this basic need is fulfilled, we hope to continue supporting the community through programs that develop local potential, from agriculture to education, so the impact we create can reach even further,” dr. Chairunnisa affirmed.
Community Dialogue and Real Impact for the Community
The inauguration also featured a “Community Dialogue” session that brought together representatives from Komodo Water, ParagonCorp Wardah, village leaders, and local residents. Through this session, all parties were invited to share stories about the community’s struggles before clean water was available, the reasons this initiative was introduced in Lempe and Wae Tulu, and the hopes that have grown since water access became closer.
Donatus Sidi, the Head of Poco Dedeng Village, described how these changes are truly felt in daily life, “In the past, we had to walk long distances just to bring home water. Now, with water located much closer, we can use our time for more important things. We want this village to be not just a place where our children survive, but a place where they can grow and pursue their dreams.”
At the same occasion, Aloisius Lahi, representative of the West Manggarai Regency Government, also expressed his appreciation, “East Nusa Tenggara is a beautiful land, yet many of our people still struggle to obtain the most basic source of life, water. I truly appreciate the efforts of ParagonCorp Wardah and Komodo Water, who have not only brought water to these two villages but also brought new hope to the community.”
The Langkah Alirkan Harapan Clean Water Initiative reaffirms ParagonCorp Wardah’s commitment to continuously delivering meaningful benefits to society, in line with two of Paragon’s three sustainability pillars: people, which focuses on improving well-being through education, health, and economic empowerment; and planet, which emphasizes the importance of preserving water sources and the surrounding environment. This initiative also reflects the spirit of Wardah Beauty Moves You, which Wardah carries forward to inspire women to contribute to creating change and improving the quality of life in their communities.
“We hope the spirit of Paragon Wardah Brave Beauties will continue to live in the daily lives of women across Indonesia. Together with ParagonCorp Wardah, we move together, for the greater good, for life,” concluded dr. Chairunnisa.
