For decades, the villages that Du Anyam worked with had poor access to water. Villagers were forced to collect meager amounts of rainwater, walk kilometers away to find the nearest water source, and have children collect water. In 2019, Du Anyam and the Waterhouse Project decided to tackle this issue, creating an initiative to raise funding to build water wells. Partnering with Art Jakarta, the Du Anyam x Art Jakarta x Waterhouse Project Auction was held, in which products from Du Anyam were painted and sculpted by prominent Indonesian artists to auction off and raise money for wells. 

This initiative brought together artists interested in contributing to greater water access to communities to create a significant change. Prominent Indonesian artists Nasirun, Mochtar Sarman, Ykha Amelz, Theresia Sitompul, Eko Bintang, Monica Hapsari, and Salvita Decorte, created pieces consisting of a Du Anyam woven good brought into a new life form, whether through paintings on a woven box or a basket incorporated into a sculptural art piece.  Through this auction with auctioneers Dian Sastrowardoyo, Winda Malika Siregar, Amalia Wirjono, and Eva Celia, enough funds were raised to build three water wells in Solor Island, East Flores, where Du Anyam has connected communities. Postponed by COVID-19, two water wells were built in 2022, with one more being finalized this year. As a result of these successes, clean running water is now accessible near homes, preventing the need to trek far away to access water.

With reports from Tanah Werang Village, Lamawai Village, and Watohari Village, Du Anyam is confident that the newly drilled wells are having a drastic positive impact on life for villagers, who no longer have to trek for water or rely on lacking water sources.  Du Anyam is proud of its collaboration with the Water House Project in building these wells and hopes to continue.

If you are interested in continuing to support Du Anyam in their efforts to improve the livelihoods of the communities they work with, please consider purchasing products from their collections here.