Andrés Ortega, General Manager of Softys Peru, talks with 'Stakeholders' about the social initiative “Softys Contigo” and the positive impact it is generating through water purification in the Arena Baja Human Settlement, located in Cañete.
According to the UN, around 8 million people in Peru still lack access to clean drinking water. Understanding this problem, Softys, a leading Latin American company in the development of products and solutions for personal care, has been seeking alternatives to help change this situation.
Under an open innovation model, Softys brought together institutions to jointly search for solutions to improve access to safe drinking water in Latin America. In early 2022, the long-held dream of the Arena Baja settlement and its more than 900 residents became a reality in Cañete: access to clean drinking water. Andrés Ortega, General Manager of Softys Peru, tells us about the significance of this initiative and its "Softys Contigo" program.
How did the idea of committing to improving access to water and sanitation services come about?
Softys is a global company, with over 40 years in Latin America, whose purpose is to deliver the best care people need at every stage of their lives. As a company, we believe that without water there is no hygiene; so, together with our brands, we have taken on a challenge through our social investment program called “Softys Contigo”: to make access to water, sanitation, and hygiene our social purpose and thus contribute to the development of the most disadvantaged communities in Latin America.
Understanding the problem of access to drinking water in Arena Baja, a human settlement in Cañete, we have begun implementing a technological solution that will improve the quality of the water consumed in this community.
“We make access to water, sanitation and hygiene our social purpose and thus contribute to the development of communities.”
What does this project encompass in this human settlement of Cañete?
The community of Arena Baja, located in Cañete, is made up of more than 900 people. Despite all their efforts, they had not been able to access potable water or water suitable for human consumption. Therefore, “Softys Contigo,” together with the company Remote Waters, implemented a technological solution that purifies water extracted from an underground source—in this case, a well—by circulating it through an ultraviolet light filter and a chlorination system. All of this, of course, is done in accordance with the parameters required by the National Environmental Quality Standards (ECA).
Along those lines, how has the life of the inhabitants in the area changed?
The main impact of this project is to achieve a process of social transformation that unites us as a community and as a company. It will not only provide greater efficiency in water management and purification, but at Softys, we hope to change the lives of these people because access to safe and clean drinking water helps prevent illnesses and stomach infections and combats childhood malnutrition. To ensure the proper care and use of water, together with the NGO HOMAS, we conducted hygiene education workshops focused on the responsible management of this resource and promoting health in homes. The important thing is not only having access to clean water, but also knowing how to use, conserve, and share it. We innovate to be better people and provide the best care, for a better tomorrow.