Water Pumps for Humanity

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Joko Susilo

Working as a producer of hydraulic ram or hydram pumps, Joko Susilo, 53, is not just seeking profits. More than that, his is also dedicated to humanity. He shares his knowledge of hydram pumps to enable residents to build their own wells.

Joko shares his hydram pump technical knowhow for free from his home in Karanggedong village, Ngadirejo district, Temanggung regency, Central Java. Before the pandemic, many guests wishing to learn from him came every month. Hydram pumps are hydraulic pumps that rely on the force of falling water pressure. They pump water up from low-lying sources of water to residents’ houses above them.

Apart from sharing his skills, he also allows guests who need accommodation to stay in his room at home. “I welcome every visitor to spend the night and have free meals at home as needed,” he said on Wednesday (24/3/2021).

Also read: Behind Dangerous Film Scenes

Some of the guests who often visit are students and teachers from several schools and college lecturers and students from different regions. They usually come under study assignments or to conduct research on hydram pumps.

While learning, they usually buy several hydram pumps to be installed in in places where local residents need clean water.

Especially regarding academics, Joko admitted his pleasure at their visits. While learning, they usually buy several hydram pumps to be installed in in places where local residents need clean water. “The pumps bought and the knowledge gained are directly passed on to and enjoyed by local communities,” said Joko.

The other group comprises prospective customers interested in buying the pumps but first consult him about how to operate and install the devices. Some of them come from remote regions like Buru Island, Maluku and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Not only giving counsel in person, Joko also serves those inquiring over the phone or via social media.

Extra task

When requested to install hydram pumps in some regions, Joko is often given an additional task if the project is not supported by local people. He has to explain the pumps and convince people of their benefits. “I have to be patient because residents will mostly believe after watching a trial,” he said.

Also read: Going all-out with Porang

He faced such a situation among others when he installed a hydram pump in Bajawa, NTT. He got a request from the village administration but the project was rejected by residents. Joko attempted to convince locals by building a provisional installation. Only after witnessing the pump’s capacity to raise water were the residents prepared to build a permanent installation to meet the needs of their village.

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Joko Susilo (left).

Another difficulty is faced as hydram pumps are frequently in remote areas with poor access. Whatever condition arises, Joko tries to enjoy it. When the water pumped is flowing, he will be very delighted because it makes a lot of people feel happy.

He experienced this when installing a hydram pump in Bengkayang, East Kalimantan. Joko saw how a resident was very joyful as he got the water needed and promptly gave Joko a hug and handshake. In fact, he still had burn injuries on his arms.

“I was deeply moved to see his happiness with the water from the hydram pump capable of overwhelming the pain of the injuries he sustained,” said Joko.

Also read:The Perseverance of a “Waste Teacher”

In another place in NTT, Joko was happy to hear the story of a village head that local residents were very grateful to have water flowing from a hydram pump. They celebrated the moment by bathing an elderly pair who had not taken any shower for 10 years due to water scarcity.

Water scarcity

Joko is well aware of the value of water. As a child, Joko was brought up in an environment with water scarcity in Karanggedong village. The water spring there at the time was 200-300 meters below the settlement. So, when he was small Joko was frequently told to collect water down there and bring it home.

When he was in primary school, Joko heard residents’ account of a hydram pump left behind by Dutch colonizers. The pump could suck water from lowland and lift it up. Sadly, the pump was lost and its whereabouts were unknown.

This story was imprinted on Joko’s mind. He finally got a picture of the pump when he was in the second year of a vocational high school (SMK). On the last page of a textbook, there was a scheme of the water-hammer pump so far sought by residents. Joko had the urge to try to build the pump although he had no technical knowledge of pump making.

He consulted many people who understood something about the pump. Based on their ideas, he tried to craft his first pump from wood. The pump was then tested by sucking water from a source and flowing it to a paddy field half a meter above it. The trial was moderately successful although not yet perfectly operational.

With 10 years’ pump building experimentation, he eventually had the courage to receive orders from his neighborhood.

Graduating from SMK in 1986, Joko went on testing and modifying the hydram pump. Determined to seriously undertake hydram pump business, he quit his job in a drinking water company after six months. With 10 years’ pump building experimentation, he eventually had the courage to receive orders from his neighborhood.

In 2000, when he got orders for 15 pumps from the Temanggung regency administration, Joko started employing a worker and now he has three. In times of high demand, he recruits many more people nearby to be engaged in production activity. Orders have since kept increasing from various regions from Aceh to Merauke.

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Joko Susilo (left)

Joko continues to strive for market expansion through social media and his friends’ websites. Lately, he has been selling hydram pumps through the marketplace.

Conventional marketing by word of mouth also keeps going. With the different promotion efforts, since three years ago Joko’s hydram pumps have penetrated the foreign market. At least he has five times delivered his pumps to Malaysia and Timor Leste.

Also read: Encouraging the Emergence of Young Farmers

Joko, an SMK graduate of agricultural produce processing, said he had never thought of getting immersed in hydram pump business. Neither had he expected that his pumps would draw the interest of many circles and even be exported.

However, in his business journey, Joko gets even more engrossed in this undertaking because what he is doing can bring happiness to the public at large.

Joko Susilo

Born: Temanggung, 9 September 1967

Wife: Yulaika, 45

Children: two

Education: State Vocational High School 1 Temanggung

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira)