From Empathy to Unity: Salman’s Initiative for the Community

When a prolonged dry season left the community near his workplace struggling to access clean water, Salman Alfarisi wanted to help. He proposed an initiative that brought colleagues, partner and the local community together to support those in need.

As a supervisor at an automotive manufacturing facility, Salman oversees daily operations and coordinates nearly 30 colleagues across the cleaning and landscaping teams. He believes his responsibility extends beyond the workplace to caring for the surrounding community.

Turning empathy into action

With several local water sources dried up, Salman often saw residents travelling long distances to find clean water. Having experienced a similar situation at home, he understood the difficulties they face.

He suggested donating clean water to the local community and discussed the idea with his manager. That conversation soon grew into a collective effort.

After securing the customer’s approval, Salman arranged the donation with a water supplier. He also worked with residents and the youth community organisation (Karang Taruna) to identify families in need and ensure the water reached the intended recipients.

Together, they helped OCS Indonesia deliver 16,000 litres of clean water to 77 families and a mosque in Cikarang, West Java, for bathing, washing, and other sanitation needs.

For Salman, the initiative’s success relied not only on careful planning and financial resources, but also on the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved.

Building unity through community care

The water donation built on Salman and his team’s earlier community activities, including cleaning a mosque before Ramadan and clearing overgrown grass that blocked nearby roads.

For him, caring for the community means taking practical action. When colleagues share their commitment, they can support one another and extend their positive impact beyond the workplace.

These activities also strengthen workplace relationships. Salman has seen colleagues communicate more openly and develop a stronger sense of responsibility through their involvement.

Embedding TRUE values in everyday action

Salman received the Unity category through OCS Indonesia’s TRUE Star Programme in recognition of his initiative to bring people together and make a positive difference in the community. This is his second recognition, following the Respect category in 2024 for improving reporting efficiency through a simple digital solution.

Both achievements reflect how Salman put OCS’s TRUE Values into practice, embedding them in his everyday action. He hopes this spirit will continue to grow within his team and encourage more colleagues to take positive action in their own communities.